The Basel Academy of Music FHNW, Classic proposes revitalizing this tradition of orchestrating songs. It is holding a competition for young composers and arrangers of any nationality, aged 28 or less as of 31 December 2025 , their task being to orchestrate between three and five songs by Clara Schumann to create a coherent cycle for soprano voice with orchestral accompaniment. Participants may orchestrate these songs as standalone pieces or may create a continuous musical text by inserting transitions or interludes between the songs; in this latter case, they may also incorporate other music by Clara Schumann (from any genre). The winning composition will be premiered in 2027, and the selected composer will receive travel and lodging accommodations.
The duration of the cycle will depend on the number and nature of the songs chosen for orchestration, but is expected to be between 15 and 25 minutes. The maximum orchestral forces available are as follows (any combination of these is permissible):
2 fl, 2 ob, 2 clar, 2 bn / 2 hn, 2 trp, 3 trbn, tb / strings / timp & 1 perc
The jury will comprise the composers Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Karin Wetzel, Christian Knüsel (Artistic Director, Neues Orchestra Basel) and Chris Walton (Music Academy Basel).
The jury will choose one cycle to be performed by the Neues Orchestra Basel; the composer will be invited to Basel to attend. This cycle will receive a cash prize of CHF 2,000.
For more information, contact Chris Walton, chris.walton@fhnw.ch, and mark your email Only Connect.