Call for Submissions
December 30, 2024
The Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) is excited to announce a composition competition seeking recent unperformed works in an energetic and engaging style that are 5-8 minutes in length. The winning competition will be premiered during our 102nd season on Signature Concert #3 (tentatively scheduled for February 7, 2026). This competition seeks to honor the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States while showcasing the creativity and talent of young, Colorado-based composers.
The winning composer will receive:
● A $1,000 honorarium
● An archival recording of the performance by the Fort Collins Symphony
To enter, applicants must meet the following requirements:
● Be studying in the state of Colorado or have graduated from a Colorado high school
● Be under the age of 30 as of 2/1/2026
● Have not yet achieved a Master’s Degree from a university
Submission Requirements:
- The composition must be 5-8 minutes in duration and in an energetic and engaging style, such as a fanfare or overture.
- The work may have been composed previously but must not have been performed publicly.
- The composition should be scored for a large orchestra, including:
○ 3 Flutes
○ 3 Oboes
○ 3 Clarinets
○ 3 Bassoons
○ 4 Horns
○ 3 Trumpets
○ 3 Trombones
○ 1 Tuba
○ Timpani, 3 Percussionists, Harp, Keyboard
○ Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, and Bass) - Submit the following materials via email to Jean Denney at jdenney@fcsymphony.org no
later than May 1, 2025:
○ A digital copy of the score (PDF format)
○ A digital recording (synth mock-up preferred)
Key Deadlines:
● Winner announced: June 1, 2025
● String masters (1 part each) due: July 1, 2025
● Complete set of parts due: August 1, 2025
Additional Information:
● Winning composition’s title page must include the phrase:
“Winner of the 2025-2026 Fort Collins Symphony Composition Competition.
Wes Kenney, Music Director.”
● The winning composer must attend FCS rehearsals during the week prior to
the premiere.
● FCSO will maintain the right to perform the winning work exclusively until
February 1, 2027. After this date, the composer may seek additional
performances.
● Any winning scores and parts printed by the Symphony for performance are the property of
the Fort Collins Symphony.
● Promotional materials may be requested from the winning composer.
Judging & Adjudication:
● Entries will be adjudicated blindly by a panel, including Maestro Wes
Kenney and musicians of the Fort Collins Symphony.
● All decisions by the panel are final.
We look forward to receiving your submissions and celebrating the musical
creativity of Colorado composers!
For questions or additional details, contact Jean Denney at jdenney@fcsymphony.org.