CMA Compostition Competition 2026

Composition Competition 2026 – VOCAL WORKS
Application Start: February 2026

Hardly anything is as magical as the moment of artistic inspiration. Therefore, it’s best not to let it pass and to immediately put one’s ideas onto paper.

A joint project of the Carinthian Music Academy (CMA) and the Gustav Mahler Private University in Klagenfurt.
The Carinthian Music Academy (CMA) initiates an inspiring platform with the new composition competition, offering space for young and contemporary composers to create innovative works and further develop their musical signature. With this competition, we aim to enrich the diversity of the musical landscape and to specifically promote the creation of qualified specialist literature.

The CMA Composition Competition is intended to be held annually, with each year focusing on a different genre or ensemble. This diversity not only supports the development of new artistic forms of expression but also strengthens the visibility and recognition of young composers on their path to the professional music world. By publicly performing the winning works, we bring these new compositions closer to a broad audience and promote a lively dialogue between artists and listeners.

For many years, the CMA has been passionately dedicated to supporting young musicians.
While the 2025 competition focused on Brass Band composition, the 2026 edition will continue the series with an emphasis on vocal and choral works.

Competition Details
Theme: Vocal Works / Choral Works
Application Start: February 2026
Submission Deadline, Jury Evaluation, Performance Date:
Detailed dates will be announced when the application period opens in February 2026.

Aim of the Competition
The CMA Composition Competition is open to all composers who wish to create a work for choir or vocal ensemble. The aim is to promote innovative, original, and expressive compositions that contribute to the development of contemporary choral literature and inspire new impulses in the field of vocal music.

 Participation Conditions

• No participation fee: Entry to the competition is free of charge.

• Target group: The competition is open to all composers, regardless of nationality or age.

• Works per person: Each composer may submit only one work.

• Originality: The work must be unpublished and must not have received an award in any other competition.

• Anonymity: The score must not contain any indication of the composer’s identity.

Submission Materials

• Score (and parts, if applicable) as PDF

• Short work description as PDF

• Audio file (demo recording or MIDI)

• Fully completed online submission form

 Submission Conditions:
The submitted work must be unpublished and independently developed. It must not have been previously published or awarded in any other competition. The anonymity of the submissions must be ensured; therefore, no hints of authorship should be visible either on the score or on the individual parts.

Contact and Further Information
For further inquiries and information, the CMA team is available.
Contact person at CMA: Michael Mayer – michael.mayer@die-cma.at