DISA Foundation and Youth Orchestra of the Canary Islands Launch National Orchestration Competition
The DISA Foundation and the Youth Orchestra of the Canary Islands have launched a national orchestration competition for young composers to adapt works by Camille Saint-Saëns, offering a 5,000-euro prize and a professional performance opportunity.
The DISA Foundation and the Youth Orchestra of the Canary Islands (Jocan) have launched a new partnership to help young composers develop their technical skills. The collaboration centers on a national orchestration competition, which was officially announced this week.
The competition invites creators aged 18 to 30 to adapt two piano pieces by Camille Saint-Saëns—Vals canariote and Campanas de Las Palmas—for a full symphony orchestra. This project highlights the importance of orchestration, a vital skill in today’s creative industries, particularly for those looking to compose soundtracks for film and television.
Choosing Saint-Saëns’ work is a deliberate effort to celebrate the musical history of the Canary Islands. The French composer spent time in Gran Canaria at the turn of the 20th century, where he became an active part of the local music scene.
The competition is open to residents across Spain, and entries can be submitted until June 8. Full details and guidelines are available on the Canary Islands Institute of Cultural Development website. The winner will receive a 5,000-euro prize, and Jocan has committed to performing the winning arrangement within two years of the announcement.
For the Youth Orchestra of the Canary Islands, this competition is a significant milestone in its ten-year history. During the launch event at the Hotel Iberostar Grand Mencey in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, leaders from both the DISA Foundation and Jocan emphasized that the initiative aims to bridge the gap between historical musical traditions and the professional demands of the modern music industry.