Orpheus Music Composition Competition 2025 

 

Apply for the opportunity to have your work published, promoted, and performed. 
Winners may receive a publishing contract with Orpheus Music and have their compositions reviewed by Recorder Magazine (UK) and The American Recorder Magazine (USA) in 2026/2027. 

Application Deadline: 1 November 2025 

https://www.trybooking.com/CZGKF 

Eligibility: 

• Open to Australian and New Zealand citizens and international/national students currently enrolled in an Australian course of study. 

• Open to any age. 

Composition Requirements: 

• Original Work – Must have been composed in the last two years and must not have won any other composition competition. 

• Entry Limits – Up to two compositions per person. You may submit: 

• One entry in either Solo, Solo + Accompaniment, or Duo 

• OR two entries (choosing any two of the three options). 

• Duration – Each composition should be between 3-10 minutes. 

• Instrumentation: 

• Solo – for unaccompanied recorder. 

• Solo + Accompaniment – for recorder and piano/harpsichord only. 

• Duo – for two recorders in any combination (e.g., SA, TB, AT, etc.). 

• Any recorder from the recorder family may be used, including garklein, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, bass, great bass, contrabass, sub-great bass, and sub-contrabass. 

• Ensure your score contains no identifying information (no name, publisher, or dates). Metadata in audio files should include only the title of the piece. 

 

How to Apply: 

• Step 1: Fill out the application form via TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CZGKF 

• Step 2: Email your composition as a PDF score to alex@orpheusmusic.com.au. 

• Optional: Submit an MP3/MIDI recording (preferred but not required). 

• Anonymity: Ensure your score contains no identifying information (no name, publisher, or dates). Metadata in audio files should include only the title of the piece. 

Application Fee: 

• $40 for one entry 

• $60 for two entries 

Final Deadline: 1 November 2025 Submit Score 
Finalists Notified: 1 December 2025 
Winners Announced: 13 January 2026, at the Australasian Recorder Festival  

All Finalists Notified by Email: January 14, 2026 

Prizes & Publishing Opportunities 

1st Place: 

• $1,000 AUD 

• Publishing contract (subject to Orpheus Music’s discretion) 

• Recording of the composition   

2nd Place: 

• $500 AUD 

• Publishing contract (subject to Orpheus Music’s discretion) 

3rd Place: 

• $300 AUD 

• Publishing contract (subject to Orpheus Music’s discretion) 

Honourable Mentions & Other Considerations: 

• Prize winners receive cash prizes with or without a publishing contract. 

• Compositions that do not place may still be considered for publication by Orpheus Music. 

 

All Published works will be promoted with a recording and sent for review in Recorder Magazine (UK) and The American Recorder Magazine (USA) in 2026/2027. 

Orpheus Music reserves the right to offer or withhold publishing contracts for prize-winning compositions. 

For more details visit: https://orpheusmusic.com.au/745-orpheus-music-composition-competition-2025

Questions? Contact alex@orpheusmusic.com.au 

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