ODYSSEY EUROPE 2027
COMPOSE EUROPE!
70 years after the Treaties of Rome ...
... we invite young composers to create new music for symphony orchestra and choir at the Young European Music Festival 2027.
Europe is full of stories
Some are written in books. Others are written in music.
For the Young European Music Festival 2027, we invite young composers from across Europe to create a new work for symphony orchestra and choir. Inspired by "Odyssey Europe – 70 Years of the Treaties of Rome", we are looking for musical voices that connect people, cultures and ideas. Join us and become part of a European premiere – during the Young European Music Festival 2027, from 2 to 12 September 2027 in Mannheim and Heidelberg. You can find everything you need to know here.
COMPOSITION COMPETITION
FOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS & AMATEUR CHOIRS
§1 – Organiser
The Young European Music Festival has been organised since 2019 by the European Youth Orchestra Academy (EYOA) gGmbH, based in Mannheim, Germany. In 2027, the European Youth Choir (organised by the European Choral Association) will also take place as part of the festival. The EYOA organises an annual workshop and competition for highly talented young musicians aged 14–18 from all European nations. The European Youth Choir is aimed at choristers aged 18–32 (70 choristers), also from all European nations.
The festival’s overarching theme for 2027 is ‘Odyssey Europe’ – 70 years of the Treaties of Rome.
§2 – Conditions of entry
The competition is open to composers aged 18 to 35 from all European nations. The submitted work must not have been previously premiered, published or publicly performed.
§3 – Competition procedure
The competition will take place in two phases:
First phase: Selection of 8 composers based on the application documents (see points a) and
b) below).
Second phase: Composition and submission of scores by the selected candidates – prizes will be awarded to 3 of the 8 selected composers (see Article 5: Prizes).
a) Submission of applications
The deadline for submitting applications is 31 August 2026 inclusive. The application is deemed to have been received as soon as the following documents have been received atkontakt@eyoa.de.
A cover letter, together with a presentation of the music ensemble selected for the future composition, a CV, a musical portfolio including a catalogue, examples of scores in PDF format and, where applicable, links to excerpts of performances from previous compositions (YouTube).
A confirmation of receipt will be sent by email to confirm your application. If you do not receive this confirmation within 10 days, please call +49 1511 8909288.
A confirmation of receipt will be sent by email to confirm your application. If you do not receive this confirmation within 10 days, please call +49 1511 8909288.
b) Selection of composers
After reviewing the applications of all composers, the jury will select 8 candidates; the composers will be informed by email by 1 October 2026 at the latest as to whether or not they have been admitted to the competition.
c) Submission of scores
The deadline for submitting scores is 30 April 2027.
Two copies of the scores must be submitted: one bearing the composer’s name, the other completely anonymous. The title, duration of the piece, voice parts and a statement of intent must appear at the beginning of the score. The work must be submitted exclusively in PDF format, preferably created using music notation software.
An audio sample may be attached as an optional extra. Once the scores have been submitted, a confirmation of receipt will be sent by email. If you do not receive this confirmation within 5 days, please call +49 1511 8909288. After 5 May 2027, no complaints regarding the non-receipt of an email will be considered.
d) Selection of works
The jury members will award prizes to the works they receive anonymously, and which meet the criteria set out in these rules.
The prizes will be awarded in early June 2027. The jury’s decision is final and binding. The winners will be informed of the results following the jury’s deliberations. The prizes will also be announced on the website www.eyoa.eu.
e) Performance of the works
The winning work will be performed by the EYOA Symphony Orchestra and the European Youth Choir, who will be taking part in the Young European Music Festival from 2 September to 12.2027. The world premiere of the winning composition will take place either on 10 September in Heidelberg or on 11 September at the Rosengarten in Mannheim. The jury will assign the work to the performers. The works that did not win will be offered to the participating ensembles for world premiere.
The top three prize-winners will be invited to attend the festival concerts free of charge. They will be guests of the festival, including accommodation in a three-star hotel
§4 – The Composition
a) Characteristics of the work
The composition for symphony orchestra and choir must be based on a text of your choice, featuring textures and sound materials, and lasting between 12 and 15 minutes.
The composition for mixed choir and symphony orchestra must be performable by an amateur choir (1 to 6 parts with divisi and without soloists) and an amateur orchestra.
The work may well be inspired by the theme ‘Odyssey Europe’.
The score and all publications of the work must always mention that it is a prize-winning entry in the European Youth Orchestra Academy competition.
Choral range: Bass: G2 – D4 Tenor: C3 – G4 Alto: A3 – D5 Soprano: C4 – 70 choristers Orchestral instrumentation
10 x Violin 1 / 8 x Violin 2 / 8 x Viola / 6 x Cello / 4 Double basses 2 flutes + piccolo / 2 oboes / 2 clarinets / 2 bassoons + 1 contrabassoon 4 horns / 2 trumpets / 2 trombones + bass trombone 1 x timpani / 1–2 percussion
b) Features of the score
Unless the score is graphically designed, each part is notated on a separate staff, and the text is placed below each part. Pages and bars are numbered in accordance with standard practice, depending on the layout.
§5 – Prizes
1st prize: 2.000 €
2nd prize: 1.000 €
3rd prize: 500 €
§6 – Rights
The winning works remain the sole property of their composers, who, by accepting these rules, undertake not to publish or perform them prior to their first public performance at the Young European Music Festival 2027. Entry into the competition implies full and unconditional acceptance of the terms and conditions.
The selected composers authorise the organiser, without restriction or reservation, to use their name, email address, biography, photographs and videos in connection with events or promotional activities relating to this competition and the festival, without such use entitling the winners to any remuneration, rights or benefits other than the award of the prize won. The organisers reserve the right to the world premiere as part of the Young European Music Festivals in Heidelberg or Mannheim. Should the festival be unable to take place, the composition competition will be cancelled.
§7 – Composition of the jury
Prof. Sidney Corbett, Chair of the Jury, Mannheim (Germany)
Alessio Elia, composer, Budapest (Hungary)/Italy
Ying Wang, composer, Berlin (Germany)/ China
Jan-Paul Reinke, conductor, artistic director of the EYOA Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim (Germany)
Tristan Meister, choir director, European Youth Choir, Mannheim (Germany)
§8 – Printing of the selected work
The European Youth Orchestra Academy will print the selected work itself
Entries for the composition competition
European Youth Orchestra Academy gGmbH
Erzbergerstraße 18
68165 Mannheim
Managing Director Michel Maugé
Email: mauge@eyoa.de
Mobile: +49 1511 8909288
Web: www.eyoa.de
EYOA Friends & Partners – For young talent. For Europe
The heart of our foundation beats for young talent, art, and culture – and with the EYOA, this comes alive: E stands for European unity and diversity, Y for young musical talent, O for orchestral collaboration, and A for Academy, representing support and education. The academy provides young people with a stage to showcase their skills and gives the audience the chance to experience the world-famous Mannheim musical tradition.
In addition to our institutional partners and their representatives, numerous private supporters are also involved in the EYOA Friends.
