BTS Composers' Competition 2025

Applications are invited for

The British Trombone Society Composers' Competition 2025

The Competition is to be judged by Dani Howard (Composer) and Becky Pepper (Overseer).

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The Prize

WINNER

The winner will receive the British Trombone Society trophy; the winning work will be published by Warwick Music and given a public performance at the British Trombone Society 40th Anniversary Event at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London on the Sunday 16th November 2025.

RUNNERS UP

Two runners up will each receive a one hour composition lesson with a judge (tbc)

Entry Details

  • Composers are asked to write and submit an 8-part fanfare that will be performed at the British Trombone Society 40th Anniversary Event this year.
  • The fanfare must also include parts that can be performed by our community of amateur and young players. A guide is presented below:

A - Grade 8+1 plus, using the higher register and various clefs.

B - Experienced player (Grades 5-7)

C - Beginner, in a friendly key and with guidance for notes/slide positions (up to grades 3 and 4)
D - Bass for expert and advanced players

E - Simpler bass part for those who have just moved across to bass trombone (Grade 5-6)

  • The submission can be written for the following instruments of the trombone family (Alto, Tenor, Bass and Contrabass Trombones). No percussion and/or electronics (Alto and Contrabass trombones should be placed in parts A and D respectively). Treble Clef parts in Bb should be available for parts A-C.
  • Guides on how to write for massed trombone ensemble, the members of the trombone family as well as the composer's toolkit by Slide-Action Trombone Quartet are available to view on the British Trombone Society Website.
  • Recommended viewing: Writing for Massed Trombone Ensemble for the British Trombone Society By Adrian Taylor. Click here.

 

General Conditions

  • The Competition is open to composers of all nationalities.
  • Completed works are to be submitted in a universal file (xml), attached to the completed registration form, no later than midnight Friday 18th July 2025 (GMT)
  • In addition, audio files (MP3) may also be attached to the submission.(Quality of playing or recording will not influence the judge's decision) Audio files must match the written submission in its entirety. Any entries that do not match will be scrutinised and subject to disqualification.
  • Submissions must be original works and compositions submitted to the previous BTS Composers Competition will not be accepted.
  • Submitted MP3 files will remain the property of the BTS.
  • The winner will be announced on Friday 22nd August 2025.
  • The decision of the judges is final and binding, there is no right of appeal.

 

ENTRANCE FEES:

Entry is free of charge.