The third competition for young composers
„Isidora Žebeljan“
is part of the “Isidora Žebeljan” International Festival, which was established with the aim of preserving the memory of the figure and work of one of the most important Serbian composers, and one of the most original composers of the beginning of the 21st century, Isidora Žebeljan.
Propositions
„Isidora Žebeljan“ International Festival in Kragujevac
The international competition for young composers
Call for scores
- Composers of all nationalities up to 30 years of age at the time of application are eligible to participate.
- The application period is from May 1, 2025, to July 1, 2025, until 11:59 PM Central European Time (CET).
- Compositions may be written for an ensemble of 1 to 5 instruments of the composer’s choice, with or without electronics (fixed media).
- Available instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, percussion (1 performer: toms, congas, bongos, daire, cymbals, triangle, woodblocks, templeblocks, claves, cowbells, darabuka, cajón, shaker, and other small percussion instruments), piano, harp, accordion, solo voices (SATB), two violins, viola, cello, and double bass (solo electronics are not accepted).
- The composition duration should be between 5 and 12 minutes.
- The competition is anonymous.
- The composer’s name must not appear in the score.
- The application fee is 20€ per composition. Payment instructions:
Borislav Cicovacki, ING Bank
IBAN
NL72INGB0001341398
BIC
INGBNL2A
Payment reference: Isidora Zebeljan
- A maximum of two compositions may be submitted.
- Jury President – Luca Francesconi
- A three-member jury, consisting of members of the artistic committee of the International Festival ‘Isidora Žebeljan’, will create a pre-selection of compositions (up to 15 compositions), from which the jury president will select the top three compositions. The results of the competition will be announced during the 3rd International ‘Isidora Žebeljan’ Festival in September 2025.
- The first-prize winner will receive an award of 1,000€, and all three winning compositions will be performed at a concert in Serbia as part of the next edition of the International ‘Isidora Žebeljan’ Festival in 2027.
- The festival is unable to provide travel and accommodation for the award-winning composers, but an audio recording of the concert will be provided.
Upon applying, please submit:
- Score in PDF format (without the composer’s name)
- Recording in MP3 format (electronic realizations are accepted)
- Proof of payment of the application fee
- Biography (up to 200 words) with contact information (name, surname, address, email, phone number, and title of the submitted composition)
- Passport or ID card photograph
The deadline for participation in the contest
May 1. 2025. to July 1. 2025. until 11:59 PM Central European Time (CET).
Jury
Luca Francesconi (ITA)
The first-prize winner will receive an award of 1,000€, and all three winning compositions will be performed at a concert in Serbia as part of the next edition of the International ‘Isidora Žebeljan’ Festival in 2027.