NZSO Todd Young Composer Awards

• Maximum duration of 5 minutes
• Work to be for symphony orchestra without soloists, amplification or electronic elements
• Maximum instrumentation is as follows: 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 3 clarinets, 3 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba, 1 timpani, 3 percussion, harp and strings (the following woodwind auxiliary instruments are available: piccolo, alto flute, bass flute, cor anglais, bass clarinet, Eb Clarinet and contrabassoon). Please refer to the documents on the left when writing for harp and percussion.
• A complete and accurate instrumentation list and duration must be provided at the beginning of the score.
• NZSO reserves the right to ask composers to revisit any composition that includes extended techniques that may damage instruments.
• Revisions to the score and parts other than those requested by the NZSO library will not be accepted after Friday 08 August.
• Any non-standard items must be provided by the composer.

How to Apply: 

Applications for the 2026 NZSO Todd Young Composer Awards have now closed. Application information for the 2027 Todd Young Composer Awards will be available in November 2026.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be a New Zealand resident, citizen, student (including exchange students) or visa holder. 

Applicants must be 25 years of age or younger at the time of application close date. 
One application per person.

Application Information:
We require the following documents and files for your application:

• Composer biography
• A landscape publicity photo of yourself (refer to the artist image guide for requirements)
• Programme notes for your composition with all identifying information removed (this is to keep the selection process anonymous)
• Programme notes for your composition
• PDF score of your composition with your name on the score
• PDF score of your composition with all identifying information removed (this is to keep the selection process anonymous)
• Audio file of your composition (computer-generated audio is fine).

All scores must be submitted in accordance with the NZSO Requirements for Score & Parts Preparation.

All eligible scores will be assessed for inclusion by a panel including NZSO Musicians, Education staff, the Composer Mentors, and the Conductor. This assessment will be carried out using anonymised scores to avoid any potential bias or conflict of interest.