2027 Young Composers Competition is open for submissions
West Cork Music champions and showcases the talent of young composers through its prestigious annual String Quartet Composition Competition. Open to Irish citizens and Irish-resident composers aged under 35, the contest reflects West Cork Music’s deep commitment to fostering and celebrating talent in the Irish chamber music scene. The String Quartet Composition Competition an opportunity for young composers to learn from an internationally acclaimed composer and have their work performed at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival.
The winning works will be premiered at West Cork Chamber Music Festival 25 June – 4 July 2027
We accept submissions from all Irish and Irish-resident composers under 35. Past adjudicators of the competition include Donnacha Dennehy, Deirdre Gribbin, Lera Auerbach, Brett Dean, Bushra El-Turk and Andrea Tarrodi. We are delighted to welcome to Bantry, Cork composer Sam Perkin as this year’s adjudicator.
Past winners of the Competition include Seán Doherty, Solfa Carlile and Amanda Feery, Robert Coleman and Finola Merivale.
Three winning scores will be selected, and the composers will participate in a workshop with Sam, and have their work performed at the Festival by a conservatoire quartet. Each winner will receive €1000 prize money and up to 3 nights accommodation at the Festival.
Full details and criteria, and instructions on how to submit a score can be found on our website.
The submission deadline is Wednesday 24 March 2027
