NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

Dates and Information

The 2025 Washington International Competition (WIC) for Composition is underway. From October 1, 2024 through February 15, 2025, composers ages 18 to 35 (as of February 15, 2025) can submit applications via app.getacceptd.com/wiccomposition.

Winners of the 2025 WIC for Composition will be announced on April 1, 2025. The first and second prize winning compositions will be performed at the WIC String Finals on May 25, 2025 in the Terrace Theater of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during the string judges’ deliberations.

Additional details about the competition can be found below.

Winning Compositions

Sunday, May 25, 2025

  • The first and second prize winning compositions will be performed on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in the Terrace Theater of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

2025 WIC for Composition Judges

 Christopher Theofanidis
 Michael Torke
 Kevin Puts

Prizes – $7,000 total

  • First Prize: $5,000
  • Second Prize: $2,500

Information For Interested Applicants

Eligibility

Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 (as of February 15, 2025). Proof of age will be required. Applicants must not be under professional management. Previous first-prize winners of the competition and current students of the judges may not apply.

Applications

All applications must be submitted through app.getacceptd.com/wiccomposition. The application portal will be open October 1, 2024.

  • For general questions about the competition, please contact Competition Chair Mark Simon at wiccomposition@fmmc.org.
  • For questions about the online application process, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.
  • We encourage applicants to read thoroughly and follow the competition guidelines and instructions carefully. Applications may be started, edited, and updated using the Acceptd portal at any time between October 1 and the deadline for submissions. However, they must be completed and submitted by the deadline date.

Note: The deadline for application submissions is February 15, 2025, by 11:59 pm EST.

Requirements

  1. Entrants must be between 18 and 35 years old as of February 15, 2025.
  2. An entrance fee of $45 US must be submitted. Electronic payment through GetAcceptd is highly preferred. If contestant is unable to submit payment electronically, a check may be written payable to Friday Morning Music Club Foundation.
  3. Composition must be a chamber work for 3 to 5 players for the standard string trio, string quartet, piano trio, piano quartet or piano quintet (string quartet plus piano). No electronics or other instruments may be included.
  4. Composition must be a maximum of 8 minutes long.
  5. Composition must not have been commercially published or publicly performed.
  6. Amateur performances—such as by music students at a college campus—are acceptable and will not disqualify a work. Do not send a recording.
  7. Electronic entry via Acceptd is preferred. Scores must be accompanied by a cover letter including composer’s name, contact information and curriculum vitae.
  8. Scores must be neat, legible, and adhere to accepted standards for instrumental score order: violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, piano.
  9. The composer’s name must not appear anywhere on the score.
  10. The winning compositions will be announced by April 1, 2025.
  11. Winning composers must be prepared to supply a set of performance materials upon notification of their award.
  12. Contestants should use the following address to apply: https://wiccomposition.getacceptd.com.
  13. Contestants who are unable to submit their scores electronically may submit them in paper form. In this case, the contest administrator will convert the documents into .pdf format. Send all paper scores to the following address: Washington International Competition for Composition, 1536 Winding Waye Ln., Silver Spring, MD  20902

Housing and Transportation

  • The WIC provides local housing for all winning composers who elect to attend. Limited assistance for transportation expenses may be available.
  • Local transportation and meals are also offered at the convenience of the hosts.
  • Housing is available from May 23 to May 27, 2025.

Additional Information

  1. The FMMC Foundation assumes no responsibility for actions of or injuries sustained by applicants or their escorts during their course of stay in the Washington, DC area.
  2. All contestants are responsible for transportation to and from Washington, DC.
  3. The decision of the judges is final and not to be disputed. No contact with the judges is permitted until after the results have been announced.
  4. The WIC reserves the right to use any photographs originated during the competitions, or any photographs or recordings provided by the contestants. The winning composers reserve the right to limit distribution of recordings of their compositions – please let the WIC Chair know in such instances.