Liverpool Philharmonic is accepting applications for the 2023 Rushworth Composition Prize, in association with the Rushworth Foundation.
Now in its ninth consecutive year, the prestigious Rushworth Composition Prize provides an exceptional range of talent development opportunities for an early-career composer aged over 18 who writes original music. Notably, the Prize has no upper age limit for applicants.
The winner will be awarded £1,000 to write a new work for Ensemble 10:10 (Liverpool Philharmonic’s contemporary music ensemble) which will be performed in Autumn 2024.
The Prize offers an early- career composer the opportunity to build a long-term collaborative and creative relationship with Liverpool Philharmonic, which supports composers during the commission period and beyond. The Prize winner receives tailored support and resources from across the music profession. the winner will take part in a programme of workshops, masterclasses and mentoring sessions from composers, performers, conductors and other industry professionals associated with Liverpool Philharmonic.
Previous Prize winners have had further opportunities to produce additional new works and commissions for Liverpool Philharmonic ensembles.
Entry Criteria
To enter, applicants should be able to demonstrate that they are:
At an early stage of their career as a composer
Be at least 18 years old on 1 October 2023 (there is no upper age limit for applicants)
Currently live, work, or have been born in the North West of England (Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cumbria), or be a registered student at a Northwest-based Higher Education institution.
There are no minimum qualification requirements for applicants.
How to apply
To be considered, applicants must submit a supporting statement, a CV including a list of works and, audio recordings and scores of two examples of original works. Submission statement can also be made via video.
Applications for the Rushworth Composition Prize close at 11.59 pm on Wednesday 7 June 2023. For more information, click
here.
Since it was launched in 2015, there have been eight recipients of the prize: Christopher Cook (2022), Nneka Cummins (2021), Alex Papp (2020), Athanasia Kontou (2019), Carmel Smickersgill (2018), Grace-Evangeline Mason (2017), Richard Miller (2016) and Bethan Morgan-Williams (2015). Liverpool Philharmonic also supports local composers and songwriters through Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company.
