Phoenix Percussion Composition Competition
2024 winning composition is "Soar" by Colin Eng
Press Releases:
- February 7, 2025
- Announcing the premiere of the 2024 first place winning composition "Soar", by Colin Eng, to be performed by the University of Delaware Percussion Ensemble on April 26th, 2025.
- Announcing the second annual Phoenix Percussion Composition Competition. Call for scores to begin an April 1st, 2025.
- September 4, 2024
- The Phoenix Performance Foundation (PPF) is delighted to announce the results of the first annual Phoenix Percussion Composition Competition. The PPF Board was thrilled with the response to the "Call for Scores". In all, there were 244 submissions from 40 countries.
- The winner is Colin Eng, with his composition titled "Soar". The winning work will be performed by the University of Delaware Percussion Ensemble n the Spring of 2025. In addition, Mr. Eng will receive a cash prize of $500 and the option to publish the work with Bachovich Music Publications.
- Honorable mentions are awarded to Ben Justice for his composition "Nucleation", Benedikt Brydern for his composition "Kinderszenen 2.0", and Emily Joy Sullivan for her composition "Mallet Quartet".
- Many thanks to our donors, board members, and the staff at New Music Engine without which the completion would not be possible. Special thanks to all the composers who created and submitted compositions to the competition.
Purpose:
The Phoenix Percussion Composition Competition honors the memory of Gregory Andrew Paroulek, percussion and composition student at the University of Delaware, by encouraging and supporting composition and performance of new works for percussion from around the world. The following is a performance of one of Greg's compositions for Percussion Ensemble:
Ackward, Composed by Gregory Paroulek, Performed by the University of Delaware music students on an SCI Student Chapter concert in 2007
Composition Requirements:
- The Original Composition may be an existing work (new and existing works permitted)
- Composition must be a work for solo marimba
- Composition can be written in any style
- Difficulty of the Composition is at the discretion of the Composer
- Open to Composers of Any Age
- Open to Composers of any Nationality
- Composers may submit up to two separate works
- Previously Commissioned Works or Published Works may not be Submitted
Prize:
The Composer who submits the winning composition will receive:
- $500 USD Cash Prize
- Performance of Composition by the University of Delaware Percussion Ensemble (1 year exclusivity)
- Audio and Video Recording of the Performance at University of Delaware
- Publication with Bachovich Music Publications (Pending the agreement of the winning composer)
Publisher may contact additional finalists for possible publication of their composition
Entry Requirements
- PDF version of the score must be submitted with the composer's name on the score
- If the score is not computer generated, the manuscript must be clearly notated
- Recording or midi realization is required
- Winning Composer will be responsible for supplying all parts
Submission of Materials:
Electronic entry only via the New Music Engine. To enter, please click: New Music Engine
For technical support on New Music Engine, please email support@newmusicengine.org
Important Competition Dates
- April 1, 2025: Call for scores begins
- July 31, 2025: Score submission deadline
- September 15, 2025: Winner Announcement
- 2025-2026 Academic Year: Performance of 2025 winning composition (Date to be announced)
For Questions:
Please email any questions about the competition to competition@phoenixpcc.org
Please email technical support questions to support@phoenixpcc.org