Application deadline: August 1, 2020

The OM would like to thank its Grand Ambassador, Power Corporation of Canada, for supporting the composition contest and encouraging Canadian artists.

Since its foundation in 1981, the Orchestre Métropolitain has championed Canadian artists through its programming, whether it be its instrumentalists, composers, singers or conductors. With this in mind, the OM hopes to combine its commitment to emerging Canadian talent and to the creation process by launching its first-ever composition competition.

As part of the numerous special activities surrounding its 40th season, the Orchestre Métropolitain is inviting Canadian composers to submit a proposal of an original work for orchestra of a finished duration of five (5) to six (6) minutes. Four (4) works will be selected and subsequently performed by the Orchestre Métropolitain under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Each selected work will be included in one of four concerts of the Beethoven Marathon, which closes the OM’s 20-21 season with a performance of each of Beethoven’s nine symphonies. 

Open to all, this competition hopes to reflect the cultural richness of Canada.

Certain conditions apply: 

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• Must be born in 1981 or after;
• Must be available to attend the rehearsals and concerts in Montreal between June 3 and 13, 2021;
• The submitted work must be original, meaning that it has been neither published nor professionally performed;
• Participants may only submit one proposal of a work.

The candidate must submit a sample of a work (digital score) of a duration of one minute:

• The submitted work must be written for orchestra and respect the following maximum orchestration: 3(1.2.pic)3(1.2.EH)22-4231-timp.+1-harp-strings (12-10-8-7-5); 
• Permitted percussion instruments (in addition to timpani): bass drum, cymbals, triangle; 
• Symphonic work, no soloist, no choir; 

• The score submitted must be digital (pdf); 
• The candidate’s name must not appear on the score. 

The notation must respect the following criteria: 

• A title page containing the basic information about the work, approximate duration of the completed work, the complete instrumentation, identifying all doublings, transposing instruments as well as percussion instruments and the complete title (but only on the final work if selected); 
• The paper format used for the printed score will be 11 x 17 inches; 
• If non-standard notation is used in the parts, it must be accompanied by an explanation appearing on the same page; 
• On the first page of the score, the full name of each instrument must appear to the left of the corresponding line. An abbreviation may be used on the subsequent pages; 
• Any commentary on tempo and dynamics must be in conventional language, meaning English, French, Italian or German. Tempo markings must appear above the top staff of the score as well as above the line of the first violin, as well as each page of the part; 
• Measure numbers must appear at the beginning of each staff; 
• Rehearsal letters (if used) must appear at logical times, corresponding with the beginning of a phrase, and may only be used in addition to measure numbers; 
• Tempo changes and rehearsal letters (if used) must be clearly indicated, even during long periods of rest; 
• The clef and key signature must appear on each staff; 
• The parts for transposing instruments must be written in transposed pitch; 
• The timpani parts must be written on a separate and individual staff; 
• The score must be double-checked by the composer and an editor before being submitted; 
• All files must be anonymous.