OPEN CALL: “The International Composers Grand Prix – Rostrum” – for young composers

Background
The International Rostrum of Composers is an event organised by the IMC – International Music Council in collaboration with the EBU – the European Broadcasting Union. Participants are radio stations from across Europe, and each year a winner is selected in two categories – the main category (for all submitted composers) and a category for composers under 30. The winning works are broadcast in all participating countries and also receive new commissions as part of the prize. The winning works potentially reach millions of listeners.

In 2027, a new Danish Composers Grand Prix will be held live – a concert and award show – where one of the Danish submissions will be selected.

Danish Composers Grand Prix 2027 – live concert with ATHELAS
The Danish Composers Grand Prix will take place at DR Koncerthuset on March 13, 2027. At the concert, new Danish works by composers under 30 will be performed. The concert will be broadcast on DR P2.

At the Grand Prix, P2’s listeners and the concert audience will select a finalist to represent Denmark at the International Composers Grand Prix.

Your work

• Your work must have been composed in 2022 or later
• Your work must be performable by Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen. The maximum instrumentation is listed below. The work does not need to use all instruments, but larger works for 8–16 instruments will be prioritised.
• The work may include electronics or other sonic elements. Technical requirements must be clearly stated in the application.
• The work must be suitable for radio. Works in which visual or performative elements are central will not be prioritised.
• Shorter works of up to approximately 10 minutes are preferred.
  
  

Selected works will be performed by Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen. The ensemble’s standard instrumentation consists of the following:

• Woodwinds
  Flute (piccolo, alto, bass) · Oboe (English horn) · Clarinet (E♭, bass clarinet) · Bassoon (contrabassoon)
• Brass
  Horn · Trumpet · Trombone
• Percussion
  2 percussionists
• Keyboards
  Piano · Harp
• Strings
  2 violins · viola · cello · double bass
• Electronics (optional)

   

Works including additional instruments may also be considered.

Only one work per composer may be submitted.

About you

Applicants must be 30 years old or younger and must not turn 31 in 2027.

Applicants must be Danish composers or have a connection to the Danish music scene.

All styles and genres are welcome. Emphasis will be placed on innovation and suitability for radio.

Selection process

After submission, works will be selected for the Danish Composers Grand Prix 2027 by a jury consisting of:

• A representative from DR P2
• A representative from Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen
• A representative from the Art Music Denmark music committee
• A listener representative selected by DR P2
• Works may be submitted by composers or publishers.
  
  

Submission requirements
Each submission must include:

• Full score (PDF)
• 1–3 links to audio examples (concert recording, computer rendering, relevant sonic material, or other listening material that provides an impression of the work)
• A technical rider (required for works involving electronics or special production conditions), describing all technical and production requirements necessary for performance
  
  

How to apply
Applications must be submitted via the online form below.
APPLICATION FORM

Deadline: 1 November 2026

Contact and questions
For questions regarding this Open Call, Rostrum, Athelas, or DR P2, please contact:

Max Fage-Pedersen, programme editor at DR P2
Tel: +45 29724207
Email: mafp@dr.dk

Mats Iversen Vangen, producer at ATHELAS
Tel: +45 60244737
Email: production@athelas.dk

“The Danish Composers Grand Prix” is produced by DR P2, DR Koncerthuset, and Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen in collaboration with Art Music Denmark, Edition S, Edition Wilhelm Hansen and Danish Composer’s Society.