The Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, located in Lone Tree, Colorado (a Denver suburb) announces a Composition Competition for the 2026-2027 season. The winning candidate will be named Composer-in-Residence with the Lone Tree Symphony for two seasons (2026–2027 and 2027–2028), with the winning composition performed during the September 18, 2026 concert. A cash award of $5,000 will be presented by check at the performance, along with a stipend to cover reasonable travel and lodging expenses. The winner will receive a second $5,000 commission to compose a work for the 2027-28 season and will receive $5,000 after approval and performance of the work.

Eligibility 

  • This competition is open only to US citizens or students studying in the US. The applicant must be a legal resident of the United States or have written authorization from the Designated School Official at their U.S.-based school confirming eligibility to accept cash awards.
  • The competition is open to composers of all ages, but preference will be given to those 40 years of age or younger and enrolled in a US-based educational institution.
  • If a student, the applicant must be a legal resident of the United States or have written authorization from the Designated School Official at his or her U.S.-based school confirming eligibility to accept the cash awards.
  • Applicant should not be regularly employed in the composition field; not earning significant compensation as a composer, not being currently represented by a major publisher, or having compositions performed regularly by professional orchestras.
  • Entry into this competition constitutes the contestant’s authorization to use applicant’s name, photographs and biographical information for publicity purposes.
  • By entering this competition, applicant certifies that all licensing and rights for performance, audio and video recording of the submitted work and commissioned work are legally authorized with no financial liability accruing to the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra.
  • The Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra reserves the right to dismiss any applications found to be ineligible or misleading.

Application Materials

  • CV or resume
  • List of compositions and premiere performances with artists/ensembles, where applicable
  • PDF of score and parts. No identifying marks, other than title, should appear on the score. A recording or midi file may also be submitted.
    • Application fee of $20 per score must accompany each submission
    • Qualifying compositions should be between 6 and 10 minutes in duration, written for the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra’s instrumentation, not to exceed: 3-3-3-3 / 4-3-3-1 / strings, percussion (timpani + 3), one piano and harp. The Music Director reserves the right to substitute/omit equipment the LTSO does not own or can easily obtain.
    • Concertos, vocal works, and works for string orchestra, or chamber ensembles are not eligible for application.

Additional Info

The winner will receive a copy of the recording and may make the recording publicly available but may not commercially release it or otherwise derive income from it. The winner is required to attend in Lone Tree, Colorado both the dress rehearsal and September 18, 2026 premiere. A stipend will be provided to cover reasonable travel and lodging expenses. A high-resolution digital photograph of the winner is requested for publicity purposes.

Please send any questions to Dr. Sean Friar, Composition Competition Director, at ltsocompositioncompetition@gmail.com. No late or mailed entries will be accepted.