About the Australian Youth National Composition Competition

The National Board of ABODA are proud to announce the launch of the Australian National Youth Composition Competition (ANYCC) for 2025. It is the vision of the National Board that this composition competition will stimulate the creation of many important new compositions for developing wind band and string orchestra, whilst inspiring young composers to write for these mediums.

The winning youth compositions of 2025 will be linked to and mentored by professional composers and work with an appropriate ensemble in their state.

The 2025 Adjudication Committee will consider two new works for the award:

1. Wind band compositions with no limitations for the youth composition category

2. String Orchestra compositions with no limitations for the youth composition category

Prizes

A public performance of the winning composition at a significant state event

Mentoring with a professional composer

Eligibility

​To enter, applicants must be;

1. An Australian Citizen, no older than secondary school age

2. Currently residing in Australia

Submission Criteria

The composition/score submitted must;

1. ​Be a new, original composition never before performed or published

2. Be no longer than ten (10) minutes duration

3. Use the following instrumentation:

   • Wind Band: Piccolo, Flutes, Oboe/s Bassoon/s,, B-flat Clarinets (3 parts), Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophones (2 parts), Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpets (at least 3 parts), French Horns (2-4 parts), Trombones (3 parts), Euphoniums, Tubas, , Percussion. The score may also include Piano and/or other keyboard instruments.

     Optional instrumentation may include: Cor Angles, E-Flat Clarinet, Contra Bass Clarinet, Contra Bassoon, String Bass.

     Works for solo instruments with wind accompaniment are also eligible for consideration

   • String Orchestra: 1st Violin, 2nd Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

     Optional instrumentation may include: 3rd Violin

There is not a minimum length for entries, nor is there a limit on the number of movements. The number of works submitted by a composer is limited to three per year, and each entry must be sent separately. ABODA National Board members are not allowed to submit a work for consideration.

ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 31 MARCH 2025

Application Guidelines

2025 Application closing date, 8 June 2025. No entry fee payable. Please register for the competition via email by the due date.

Your email application should include in the body of the email:

• Your Name

• Your School

• Your School Year

• The state where you live

• Contact teacher email address (e.g. your music teacher)

• Contact phone number

• Contact email address

Attached to your email you must include:

• a PDF copy of the score with a title page stipulating composition title and duration

• An Mp3 (or similar) audio recording

Please Note: All composer details will be removed for adjudication. The adjudication will be a “blind adjudication”. Only the chairperson of the committee will have knowledge of the composer information.

The Australian National Youth Composition Competition adjudication committee will comprise of:

Wind Band (To be confirmed for 2025)

String Orchestra (To be confirmed for 2025)

Contact

For any enquires about ABODA National, please contact us at secretary@abodanational.com.au. For more information regarding ABODA in your state, please visit your state branch website here.

© 2021 ABODA National. All rights reserved.