EUIMC Composition Division

One motive. Infinite possibilities.

The EUIMC Composition Division gives young composers worldwide a unique opportunity to transform the same official EUIMC motive into something entirely their own. This shared starting point allows your individual creativity, musical voice, and imagination to truly stand out.

Whether you are composing your first eight measures or developing an advanced musical language, you’ll find a category designed to support your level and showcase your potential.

How it works

  1. Choose your category — Age divisions are determined by the age the participant turns during the competition year, regardless of their exact date of birth.

  2. Download the official motive — free, sent instantly to your email.

  3. Compose — follow your category's requirements below.

  4. Submit — PDF score + audio recording by March 30, 2027.

Find your category

What to submit

  • PDF score — notation software or clearly legible handwriting

  • Audio recording — live performance or MIDI playback, both fully accepted

  • Composer statement (optional) — up to 150 words

General rules

  • All works must be original, unpublished, and written solely by the participant.

  • Every entry must incorporate the official EUIMC motive, which must stay recognizable to the degree your category requires.

Evaluation

You're evaluated as a composer, not a performer.

Jury assess your compositional craft and your creative use of the motive. Performance quality does not affect your score, and MIDI playback is perfectly acceptable. That said, a clear, expressive performance helps your compositional ideas come through — so play it as well as you can, then let the writing speak.

Evaluation criteria: artistic originality · technical craftsmanship · structural coherence · creative transformation of the motive

Awards

For winners: a digital copy of the official compilation of winning compositions; your recorded work featured on the EUIMC website and social channels.

For your teacher: sponsored access to SproutBeat, a web app that helps music teachers engage students with music theory through interactive games and worksheets.

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