Artes Liberales and Erica Synths announce an electronic and electroacoustic music composition competition for composition students and professional composers, aiming to encourage genre diversity within the field and promote the use of electronic instruments in contemporary academic music. Winners will receive a cash award and the opportunity to premiere their work at the Skaņu Mežs festival.
The competition is open in two categories:
● Composition students (Latvian citizens currently studying composition in Latvia or abroad)
● Professional composers (Latvian citizens holding a higher education degree in composition obtained in Latvia or abroad)
Applications (CV, motivation letter, project concept, score samples and audio sketches) should be submitted by June 30, 2026 to: katrina@ericasynths.lv. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Requirements:
● The work must use 4–10 instruments, with at least half being electronic instruments
● The work must be performed live — instruments must be played live rather than using pre-recorded playback
● The use of diverse electronic instruments, including DIY instruments (not only keyboard synthesizers), is encouraged
● The work must be written in score form
● The work must not have been previously published or publicly performed
● Duration: 25–30 minutes
● No thematic restrictions apply
Timeline:
Phase 1 – by June 30, 2026
Applicants must submit a project description, score sample, and audio sketches (2–5 minutes), along with a CV and a half-page motivation letter in English. By submitting materials, applicants agree to the competition terms and conditions.
An international jury appointed by the organisers will select two winners — one from each category. Results will be announced on July 15, 2026.
Phase 2 – by January 30, 2027
Winners submit the completed score and a full audio sample. During the composition process, organisers may provide access to instruments available through the Erica Synths residency studio:
https://garage.ericasynths.lv/articles/erica-synths-studio/
Phase 3 – rehearsal and performance stage
The winning work in the professional category will be premiered at Skaņu Mežs in autumn 2027.
Performers are selected by the composer. Erica Synths provides up to EUR 1500 towards performer fees; any additional costs should be coordinated with festival organisers.
Awards (after taxes):
● Students: EUR 3000
● Professional composers: EUR 7000
In both categories, winners receive:
● 30% advance payment upon submission of the completed score and audio material in Phase 2
● 70% upon completion and premiere of the work in Phase 3
Payments will be transferred directly to the winner’s bank account.
Additional activity:
Applicants are encouraged to attend the workshop:
"ULYSSES JOURNEYS FOR LIVE ELECTRONICS COMPOSING VOL. 1"
Created for composers interested in electronic instruments, with a focus on composition, sound design and collaboration with performers using non-traditional instruments.
March 22–24, Riga, Erica Synths headquarters
More information and registration:
https://www.ericasynths.lv/news/post/workshop-ulysses-journeys-for-live-electronics-composing-vol-1/
Jury:
Orm Finnendahl
Oscar Bianchi
Taavi Kerikmäe
Maija Hynninen
The author retains full copyright ownership of the work. Full legal conditions and competition regulations apply.