Championing Living Composers
Annual Spectrum Chamber Music Composition Award
SPECTRUM DISCOVERS! returns to its mission of championing new works by living composers with the revival of our annual competition. We believe that chamber music must continue to evolve through the creative voices of contemporary composers while maintaining the highest artistic standards.
Annual Recognition
Exceptional new works receive professional performances by Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra musicians
Open to All
Composers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome to participate
Expert Direction
Under the guidance of Till MacIvor Meyn, world-class composer and TCU School of Music faculty
Award Winners
Celebrating Creative Excellence
Featured Award Winners
Michael Salvatore Grebla
Winning Work: "Piano Trio No. 1: In Search of Peace"
Grebla hails from Western Australia and is currently based in New York City. Recognized with grants and awards from various arts organizations, Grebla’s work has been performed internationally at festivals and by ensembles including the Arditti String Quartet, the Australian Youth Orchestra, and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, among others.
Awards & Recognition
1st Prize Winner of the 2023 Spectrum Chamber Music Composition Award
Education
Master of Music with honors from the New England Conservatory and undergraduate degrees from the University of Western Australia in music and mechanical engineering
Notable Works
Chamber Symphony No. 1, Quintet for Winds and Strings, Three Songs for Soprano and Piano
Previous Award Winners
Yoni Fogelman
Winning Work: "A Selection of Pets"
Wind Quintet
15 minutes
Yoni Fogelman is an emerging composer whose works explore the intersection of urban soundscapes and classical chamber music.
Kian Ravaei
Winning Work: "Family Photos"
String Quartet
10 minutes
Kian Ravaei
Upcoming SPECTRUM DISCOVERS! Concerts
Premieres and New Works
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Submission Guidelines
How to Submit Your Composition
Competition Overview
The Spectrum Chamber Music Composition Award welcomes submissions from composers of all backgrounds and experience levels. We seek original chamber music works that demonstrate creative excellence, musical integrity, and an understanding of the collaborative nature of chamber music performance.
Instrumentation
- Works for 3-8 performers
- Standard chamber music instruments
- Piano and strings preferred
- Wind and brass combinations welcome
- Mixed ensembles encouraged
Duration & Format
- 8-20 minutes in length
- Complete works only
- Professional-quality scores
- Audio recordings preferred
- PDF submissions accepted
Prizes & Recognition
- Professional performance by FWSO musicians
- Cash award for winner
- Publication opportunities
- Networking with professional musicians
- Public recognition and promotion
Important Dates
- Submission opens: January 15
- Application deadline: March 31
- Judging period: April-May
- Winner announcement: June 1
- Performance: Following season
Judging Process & Criteria
Excellence in Composition Evaluation
Distinguished Judging Panel
Our compositions are evaluated by a panel of distinguished musicians, composers, and music educators, including:
Evaluation Criteria
Creativity & Originality
Fresh musical ideas, innovative approaches, and unique compositional voice
Technical Craftsmanship
Solid compositional technique, effective use of instruments, and musical structure
Chamber Music Understanding
Grasp of collaborative nature, instrumental balance, and ensemble interaction
Musical Expression
Emotional depth, communicative power, and audience engagement
Performability
Practical considerations for professional performance and audience appeal
Score Quality
Clear notation, professional presentation, and practical markings
Opportunities for Composers
Beyond the Competition
Performance Opportunities
Beyond our annual competition, we actively seek opportunities to perform new works by living composers in our regular concert series. Composers are encouraged to submit works for consideration throughout the year.
Collaborative Projects
We work with composers on commissioned pieces, premieres, and collaborative projects that bring together our professional musicians with innovative contemporary voices in chamber music.
Educational Partnerships
Through partnerships with local universities and music schools, we provide performance opportunities for student composers and faculty, fostering the next generation of chamber music creators.
Professional Networking
Our composers gain access to a network of professional musicians, music educators, and arts advocates throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region and beyond.
Submit Your Composition
Join the Next Generation of Chamber Music
Ready to Share Your Musical Voice?
Are you a composer interested in submitting to our annual competition or exploring other performance opportunities with Spectrum Chamber Music Society? We welcome submissions from composers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
Contact us to learn more about submission requirements, deadlines, and opportunities to have your work performed by the exceptional musicians of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.