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LunARt Festival 2023

CALL FOR SCORES 2026
SEPT 1 - OCT 15, 2025

A global competition welcoming women composers of all ages and nationalities!

LunART is excited to announce the 2026 annual Call for Scores, open to women composers of all ages and nationalities. While LunART celebrates women artists both past and present, we place a special value and priority on programming works by contemporary and living composers...that's you!

 

Submit your work(s), join the network of like-minded creatives, and enjoy excellent music making all while celebrating women's creativity in the arts. We look forward to hearing your music!

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Thank YOU. This festival was unforgettable, meaningful, memorable, formative, supportive, welcoming, creative, expressive -- the list goes on. After learning more about the mission of LunART, how and why it was founded, and seeing the relationships built with so many members of the community, I am really in awe. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into the family you built at LunART.

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Stella G. Gitelman Willoughby

2025 Call for Scores Winner

Winning composers will receive:

  • A cash prize of $300​

  • Performance of composition at the Gala Concert (LunART Festival 2026: May 26- 31)

  • Professional live audio & video recording of the winning composition​

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If able to attend the festival, composers will receive:

  • Free housing

  • Free entry into all festival events

  • Collaborative rehearsal time with festival performers

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Application Guidelines

Eligibility:

  • Open to all women composers, transgender and ciswomen

  • No age limit

  • Composers/performers will be considered​

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Submitted works should be:

  • Under 15 minutes in length

  • Single or multi-movement work. In the case of multi-movement works, we reserve the right to play selections

  • Scored for one to six performers; available instruments, voice types, and ensembles are listed below

  • Written no earlier than January 1, 2021

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Submissions must include:

  • Submission Fee: $20. Please use the following link to complete the payment prior to starting your application: PAYPAL APPLICATION FEE. The PayPal Transaction ID Number is needed to complete the submission. This can be found on your email receipt from PayPal (up to 17 characters long)

  • PDF of score (please upload a PDF with the file name formatted as compositiontitle.pdf)

  • Audio recording of the submitted piece (acceptable formats include .mp3, .aif, and .wav)

  • Program notes (200 words or less)

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Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

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Submission Guidelines

  • All materials must be submitted no later than October 15, 2025, 11:59 pm (Central Time)

  • Late submissions will not be accepted

  • All submitted fees are non-refundable

  • Files must be uploaded through the New Music Engine website during the submission period - Application Page

  • Applicants may submit multiple scores, but must complete a separate application for each submission

  • Up to three compositions will be selected. We reserve the right not to program any compositions​

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Instruments available

Strings

  • String quartet

  • Violin

  • Viola

  • Cello

  • Bass
     

Woodwinds

  • Wind quintet

  • Flute (piccolo, alto, bass)

  • Clarinet (bass, B flat, E flat)

  • Oboe (English horn, oboe d’amore)

  • Bassoon

  • Saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone)
     

Brass

  • Brass quintet

  • Trumpet

  • French horn

  • Euphonium

  • Trombone

  • Tuba
     

Harp

 

Voice
Any voice type, as a solo vocal part or a member of an ensemble. Priority will be given to pieces written for a treble choir as part of our new initiative, LunART Choir.

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Piano

If your work includes prepared piano, please get in touch with us before submitting.
 

Percussion

If your work involves percussion, please get in touch with us to discuss your intended instrumentation. Percussion instruments available for the festival are limited.

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  • Who is eligible to apply?
    The Call for Scores is open to all self-identified women composers, regardless of age or nationality.
  • What is the deadline?
    All materials must be submitted by November 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM Central Time. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • Does it matter when my composition was written?
    Your composition should be written no earlier than January 1, 2021 to ensure our call’s aim focuses on contemporary chamber works.
  • Is there a time limit for my composition?
    Yes, your composition must be under 15 minutes in length.
  • Can I submit multiple movements of a composition?
    Yes, however, we reserve the right to play sections of your work if selected.
  • Are multiple submissions allowed?
    Yes, composers may submit multiple scores, but each must be submitted through a separate application with its own fee.
  • What is the judging process?
    The judging process consists of three stages, ensuring a thorough and fair evaluation. Each submitted piece is reviewed by three different judges in each round, meaning that if a composition advances to the final round, it will have been evaluated by nine unique judges. The panel includes 25 to 30 judges from diverse disciplines (professional winds, brass, keyboard, and string players, conductors, and composers), which helps ensure that the strongest works rise to the top through a broad and balanced perspective.
  • Is the competition anonymous?
    No, the competition is not anonymous. Composer names are visible to the judges during the evaluation process. However, with a three-round review structure and 25 to 30 judges from different disciplines, each piece is assigned to three judges per round. This means a composition reaching the final round will have been evaluated by at least nine independent judges, ensuring fairness and that the highest-quality works are selected through a diverse and balanced process.
  • How do I submit my application?
    All applications must be submitted through the New Music Engine platform during the submission period. Ensure all required materials are included and the submission fee is paid prior to applying.
  • Am I able to edit my submission?
    Yes, the application is open for a composer to edit until the deadline. There is no “submit” button.
  • Can I submit video files?
    No, video files are not accepted. All submissions must include audio files in one of the following formats: .mp3, .aif, or .wav. format.
  • When will the results be announced?
    The results will be announced no later than February 1, 2026.

Questions?
Contact Dr. Iva Ugrcic, Artistic Director: iva@lunartfestival.org

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