BTS Composers' Competition 2026

Applications are invited for
The British Trombone Society Composers' Competition 2026.

Composers Competition 2026

The Prize

The winner will receive the British Trombone Society trophy.

The winning work will be published by the BTS and given a public performance at the British Trombone Festival at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Sunday 25 October 2026.

Entry Details

  • Composers are asked to write and submit a quartet of 7 - 8 minutes in duration which will be performed at the British Trombone Festival to be held at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 24/25 October 2026.
  • The quartet must also include parts that can be performed by our community of amateur and young players. A guide is presented below:

    A - Grade 8+, using the higher register and various clefs.
    B - Experienced player (Grades 5 - 7)
    C - Beginner, in a friendly key and with guidance for notes/slide positions (up to grades 3 and 4)
    D - Bass for expert and advanced players
    E - Simpler bass part for those who have just moved across to bass trombone (Grade 5 - 6)

  • The submission can be written for the following instruments of the trombone family (Alto, Tenor, Bass and Contrabass Trombones). No percussion and/or electronics (Alto and Contrabass trombones should be placed in sections A and D respectively). Treble Clef parts in Bb should be available for parts A - C.
  • Guides on how to write for massed trombone ensemble, the members of the trombone family as well as the composer's toolkit by Slide Action Trombone Quartet are available to view on the British Trombone Society Website. Click here to access the Slide Action video.
  • Recommended viewing: Writing for Massed Trombone Ensemble for the British Trombone Society By Adrian Taylor. Click here.

General Conditions

  • The Competition is open to composers of all nationalities.
  • Completed works are to be submitted in a universal file (xml, pdf and mp3), attached to the completed registration form, no later than midnight 10 August 2026 (GMT)
  • In addition, audio files (mp3) may also be attached to the submission (Quality of playing or recording will not influence the judge's decision). Audio files must match the written submission in its entirety.
  • Any entries that do not match will be scrutinised and subject to disqualification.
  • Submissions must be original works and compositions submitted to previous BTS Composers Competitions will not be accepted.
  • Submitted mp3 files will remain the property of the BTS.
  • The winner will be announced on 31 August 2026.
  • The decision of the judges is final and binding, there is no right of appeal.
ENTRANCE FEES:

Entry is free of charge.