New Composition Competition Launches in Canary Islands to Support Emerging Talent
A new composition competition for musicians aged 18 to 30 will launch in the Canary Islands on May 20, offering a 5,000-euro prize and a performance opportunity with the Canary Islands Youth Orchestra to bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice.
A new composition competition is launching in the Canary Islands, aiming to bridge the gap between academic training and the professional music world. The project will be officially unveiled on May 20 at the Iberostar Grand Mencey Hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with the goal of becoming a key platform for emerging composers across the archipelago.
Supported by the Canary Institute of Cultural Development (ICDC) and the DISA Foundation, the competition focuses on the orchestral reinterpretation of the islands' musical heritage. By blending contemporary composition with regional tradition, the organizers hope to encourage technical skill while fostering a unique artistic identity.
The competition is open to musicians aged 18 to 30. The winner will receive a 5,000-euro cash prize and, perhaps more importantly, the opportunity to have their work performed by the Canary Islands Youth Orchestra (Jocan). For an early-career composer, having their music played by a high-level ensemble is a significant professional milestone.
The launch event, starting at 10:30 a.m., will detail how the competition works and its role in the local music scene. Speakers will include DISA Foundation director Sara Mateos and Jocan artistic director Víctor Pablo Pérez. The event aims to bring together music schools, conservatories, and conductors to discuss how public-private partnerships can better support young talent in the competitive world of classical and contemporary music.