1) Applicants should make submissions to ersoinfo@gmail.com by 1 November 2024. 

      Submitted pieces must be original works for orchestra, up to 7 minutes in length.

      Submissions should be orchestrated for performance by a full symphony orchestra (see Rules below for information about permitted orchestration). 

      Please note that we do not expect a completely polished final work to be submitted – there will be time after the winner is selected for the piece to be edited.

      Please include in your submission:

      • a score of your piece in pdf format (ideally written on a notation software such as Sibelius or Notion however very neat handwritten scores will be accepted). 
      • a recording of your piece in mp3 format.  Computer mock-ups are acceptable for the recording
      • a covering letter and CV describing your composing experience.

        Submissions should be anonymous, please use a pseudonym on your score and recording. You should tell us the pseudonym in your covering letter.

      2) Shortlist selection process

      All submitted compositions will be considered by a Panel including our conductor Christopher Stark and our professional Leader John Crawford (Professor at Trinity Laban).

      We will select a shortlist of composers who will be invited to the next stage of the process, the Workshop Final with ERSO. 

      Assessment criteria will include:

      • ability to write appropriately for an amateur orchestra
      • originality and development of ideas
      • compositional technique.

      Communication will take place to all applicants by 8 November 2024

      3. Shortlisted composers should send parts and the full score for the piece to ERSO by 15th November 2024

      Parts and score should be emailed in pdf format to ersoinfo@gmail.com.  We will print all of the parts and scores required for the workshop.

      4. Workshop final on the morning of 24th November 2024

      Each shortlisted piece will be rehearsed by ERSO.  Shortlisted composers will be expected to attend the workshop in the Main Hall at Camden School for Girls NW5 2DB.  Family and friends are welcome to observe from the gallery

      Shortlisted composers will be given valuable advice and feedback from our professional conductor and leader and the orchestra.

      The workshop will be recorded, and each composer will be given the recording of their work to use.

      We will communicate the result of the Final to all shortlist candidates and written feedback will be given to all of Finalists by 31st November 2024

      The winning composer will be invited to ERSO rehearsals in May/June 2025.

      Rules

      Each composer may submit only one composition for consideration.

      The submitted work must be original and unpublished.  ERSO’s first performance should be the premiere of the piece. 

      The composition should be orchestrated for performance by a full symphony orchestra.  Instrumentation cannot exceed: winds at *2,*2,*2,2; brass at 4,3,3,1; timpani plus 2 percussion (standard orchestral percussion instruments); harp; and strings. *Available doubling instruments are Piccolo, Cor Anglais, Bass Clarinet, Contrabassoon.

      Works requiring soloists or employing electronics, digital technology, and/or sound reinforcement in combination with the above instrumental forces will not be considered.

      All candidates must be available for the Workshop Final of the Piece competition on November 24th 2024.

      The winning composer shall grant ERSO the right to use the piece for future performances on a royalty-free basis. ERSO reserves the right to use the winning composition to promote ERSO including live and recorded performances.  ERSO shall retain copies of the parts and scores for future use.

      Applications that are incomplete, illegible, late, or that do not meet the above criteria will not be considered.

      We will provide reasonable travel expenses for the winner to attend the required ERSO rehearsals