Length
The composition should be no longer than 5 minutes in length.
Instrumentation
The composition should use the generally accepted wind band/concert band instrumentation with choir.
- Piccolo (1 part - optional)
- Flutes (up to 2 parts)
- Oboes (1 part)
- Bassoon (1 part)
- Bb Clarinets (minimum 2, up to 3 parts)
- Bb Bass Clarinet (1 part)
- Alto Saxophones (2 parts)
- Tenor Saxophone (1 part)
- Baritone Saxophone (1 part)
- Bb Trumpets (minimum 2, up to 3 parts)
- Horns (minimum 2, up to 4 parts)
- Trombones (minimum 2, up to 3 parts)
- Euphoniums (1 part)
- Tuba (1 part)
- Percussion (up to 6 players: instrumentation can include - Drum Kit, Timpani, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Tam-Tam and Auxiliary)
- Choir Soprano/Junior voices - middle C to top G (C4-G5), Alto - middle A to top D (A3-D5), Tenor - low Bb to top G (Bb2-G4), and Bass - bottom F to middle D (F2-D4). Extremes of the voices to be used occasionally.
Submission Guidelines
Applicants should adhere to the following guidelines when submitting their work for consideration.
- Submission are due by 20th February 2026.
- Applicants are to be living, studying, or working within the North West area.
- Applicants are to be between the ages of 16 to 25 years old (at the time of the concert on 3rd November 2026).
- Each applicant may only submit one work for consideration.
- Submitted compositions should be between a grade 3 to 5 standard.
- Submitted compositions must be wholly original, unperformed, unpublished pieces. An unperformed work counts as a piece that has never received a public concert premiere.
- Compositions requiring amplification, electronics, tape, computer, or CD are not eligible.
- Applicants are not eligible for repayment or reimbursement for any costs they incur.
- Submitted compositions must meet the guidelines as listed above.
Composition Submission
Applicants should provide the following files of their composition when submitting for consideration. Applicants will retain all rights to their materials but once submitted.
- Score - a fully finished score in .pdf format
- Recording - an audio recording of their composition in .mp3 format (can be of a recording session or MIDI/Computer realisation).
Files to be emailed to competition@maghullwindorchestra.co.uk
If the appicant is under 18 years, then the submission should be made by their parent/guardian.
Finalists and Winner
Applicants will only be asked for a full set of parts if their piece is selected as a finalist. Materials should be provided as PDF to allow to be downloaded and printed. If selected as the winner, the applicant grants permission for their piece to be performed and recorded as part of Maghull Wind Orchestra's repertoire
- The first round of judging will take place in March 2026, with the finalists being notified in early April 2026.
- Finalists are expected to be available on Saturday 20th June 2026 for a workshops day, when their compositions will be rehearsed and performed. Feedback from the judges will also be provided on this day.
- The judges are; Adam Dutch (musican and teacher), Bill Connor (composer), and Mitch Holland (choral conductor for the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral).
- The winner will be notified by 30th June 2026.
- The winning piece will be performed at a concert on 3rd November 2026, and the winner will be provided with complimentary tickets for themselves and two guests.
- Under 18s must be accompanied to the workshop day and the concert by a parent/guardian.
