2027 Vanguard Composers Competition

This year’s eligibility guidelines have changed.

Queer Urban Orchestra is pleased to announce its 2027 Vanguard Composers Competition! This program is open to composers of any age who identify as LGBTQ+, from anywhere in the world. The winning work will be performed by Queer Urban Orchestra in June of 2027, and the composer will receive a $1,000 cash award, plus a small travel stipend to attend the performance (if available). Two runners-up will be selected for a reading in January of 2027. All composers who enter the competition are invited to participate in two virtual sessions with QUO’s artistic leadership and guests.

Founded in 2009, Queer Urban Orchestra is the only orchestra specifically aligned with the LGBTQ+ community in the Northeast United States. This New York City-based community orchestra of over 100 volunteer musicians is dedicated to uplifting queer artistry.

The application deadline is September 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.

The winner of the 2027 Vanguard Composer Competition will receive:

  • A $1,000 cash prize
  • A performance of the winning composition by Queer Urban Orchestra on June 12, 2027
  • Consultations with QUO artistic leadership
  • Up to $250 in travel reimbursements to work with the orchestra and attend the performance of their work
  • Attendance at the concert and one or more rehearsals prior is encouraged, but not required
  • A live video and audio recording of the performance

Two runners-up of the 2027 Vanguard Composer Competition will receive:

  • A reading on January 13, 2027
  • Consultations with QUO artistic leadership
  • A raw recording from the reading, to be edited by the composer
  • Attendance at the reading is encouraged, but not required


All applicants to the 2027 Vanguard Composer Competition are invited to two group video panel discussions in the fall of 2026 with QUO’s artistic leadership and guests:

  • October 4, 2026, 7:30 – 9:00 pm EDT: Starting an ensemble — the how and why
  • November 8, 2026, 12:00 – 1:30 pm EST: Composers on process


Eligibility

  • Composer identifies as LGBTQ+.
  • Composer must have no more than one past or planned performance of any original composition by a professional ensemble with a budget of $2 million USD or more on a mainstage performance. Composers who have multiple past or planned performances with such ensembles on educational or such other series are eligible.
  • Composer may not be a member of Queer Urban Orchestra.
  • Composer may not have past or planned performances of any original composition by Queer Urban Orchestra; composers whose work was read in a private session by QUO are eligible.

Application Process

  • Application deadline: September 7, 2026 at 11:59PM EDT
  • Competition results will be announced by December 2026.
  • No application fee
  • For questions, contact [email protected]

Application Requirements

  • A link to a live recording or electronic rendering of the submitted composition must be included. Dropbox, YouTube, SoundCloud, personal website, etc. are acceptable. Private links are acceptable so long as permission is granted to anyone with the link.
  • A PDF score of the submitted composition must be included.
  • The composition must be no more than 10 minutes in length. It may be excerpted from a larger work. In the event that the submission is excerpted from a larger work, the excerpt must be specified by the composer in the submitted score.
  • Compositions that have past or planned performances in New York City are ineligible.
  • QUO must be able to perform and/or read all submitted compositions without rental or purchase fees.
  • QUO must be able to post its own recordings of any works it reads and/or performs on Internet platforms.
  • Instrumentation:
    • QUO’s instrumentation is flexible, but its basic membership consists of the following:
      • 3 flutes (2nd and 3rd doubling piccolo)
      • 3 oboes (3rd doubling English horn)
      • 3 clarinets (3rd doubling bass clarinet)
      • 2 bassoons
      • 4 French horns
      • 3 trumpets
      • 3 trombones (3rd doubling bass trombone)
      • 1 tuba
      • timpani + 3 percussion
      • 1 piano
      • full string section
    • Compositions for medium to large subsets of this instrumentation are welcome, including works for strings only or works for woodwinds, brass, and percussion only.
    • Works that call for fewer than 25 musicians are ineligible.
    • Compositions that call for larger instrumentations than listed above will be considered.
    • Compositions that call for instrumental soloist(s) are ineligible.
  • Applicants may submit up to three compositions, each in a different application.
  • Queer Urban Orchestra is an avocational orchestra of mostly non-professional musicians. Playability for the orchestra will be among the criteria by which the competition will be judged. For reference, please visit our YouTube channel.
  • The winning composer must submit the score and parts for the selected composition in PDF format by March 15, 2027.
  • Runners-up must submit the score and parts for the selected composition in PDF format by December 1, 2026.

Queer Urban Orchestra reserves the right not to select a winning composition and/or runners-up.

Application deadline is September 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Application Form

    Do you identify as LGBTQ+
    YesNo