Leading UK wind septet Superlocrian are delighted to collaborate with Devon Music Education Hub, Dorset Music Service, leading composers & educators Dr Elfyn Jones (Sonopera/Junior Trinity/Trinity Laban), Laura Rossi and Dankworth composition prize-winner Tom Green (amongst others) to offer their Beyond the Hills & Valleys Composing Competition.
We are delighted to offer young composers across the region this exciting opportunity to write a brand new original piece of music, getting chance to work with some of the finest musicians and educators in the country along the way.
The winning composer will receive £500, along with the following:
- Mentoring from a leading composer/educator
- Attend a live rehearsal/workshop with the band with opportunity for constructive feedback (travel bursaries for young musicians available)
- The winning piece to be performed by the group in a South West launch event and in subsequent performances
- The winning piece to be recorded in Superlocrian’s next album and the composer’s attendance at AIR Studios for the recording session
There will be two ‘runners up’ prizes of £250, along with the following:
- Mentoring from a leading composer/educator
- Attend a live rehearsal/workshop with the band with opportunity for constructive feedback (travel bursaries for young musicians available)
- The pieces to be performed by the group in a South West launch event and in subsequent performances
To be eligible for entry, you must:
- Be aged 11-19 in full time education
- Be a resident in the United Kingdom
- Not have had any works published by a major publisher or recorded by a major record label before
The composition brief is as follows:
“Write a 3-4 minute original work for wind septet with a theme of ‘Beyond the Hills & Valleys – the natural world, the environment, and (optional) life in the South West. The ensemble line up is as follows:
- 2 or 3 Trumpets in B flat (doubling Flugelhorn; mutes available)
- 1 Alto Saxophonist (doubling soprano)
- 1 other woodwind player – instrument options: Flute, Tenor or Baritone Saxophone
- 1 Trombone (bass clef)
- 1 Tuba (bass clef)”
Final submissions must be in the following format:
- Full score and parts must be in traditional sheet music notation in PDF, Sibelius or Musescore format
- A mock recording in MP3, MP4 or WAV format
You Can Submit Your Work Via This Link
The deadline for final submission is 5pm on Friday 1st May 2026.
If you have a query, please call Sam Massey on 07854 676889 or email sam.massey@devon.gov.uk
Superlocrian 