I was recently contacted by conductor and composer Geoffrey Alvarez about a composition competition that his ensemble, the Alvarez Chamber Orchestra, is running. From his web site:
The Alvarez Chamber Orchestra is holding a competition for composers of any age and nationality to submit works for Harp and Chamber Orchestra. There is no specification as to the length or nature of the work, or the number of works submitted.
Unfortunately entrants only have until 1 September 2009 to submit their finished works, so there’s not much time left. But the panel of judges — including composers Paul Patterson and Roxana Panufnik and virtuoso harpist Elżbieta Baklarz — is absolutely top-drawer, and the opportunity to have your work premiered in a series of harp-themed concerts is a tremendous one.
So if you feel like you have a work for harp and chamber orchestra in you, and you can get it out within the next six weeks, you should consider entering.