THE 2027 LAWSON-MAY AWARD FOR COMPOSITION

Submit entry

This prestigious award of £3500, generously sponsored by Neil Lawson-May is now in its 7th year and attracts a large number of entries from all over the world.
There is also a special £500 Solent Music Festival Prize. The award is open to composers of all ages and nationalities.

Main points

  • The work must be a set of variations  on any theme by Beethoven
  • To be composed for either solo piano, violin and piano duo or cello and piano duo
  • Duration: 8-15 minutes
  • £15 application fee
  • Please submit under own name
  • Deadline for submissions: 15 February 2027
  • Results announcement: 15 March 2027
  • Works must not have been previously performed in public or recorded for public distribution

The world premiere of main award winner’s work will be given at the 2027 Solent Music Festival (31 May – 6 June).

Previous Winners

2021: ‘Qebui’ for piano trio by Eduardo Soutullo (Spain)
2022: ‘Atemkristall’ for cello and piano by Gianluca Castelli (Italy)
2023: ‘Aimai’ for shakuhachi and tenor recorder by Hibiki Mukai (Japan)
2024: ‘Vanishing Corals’ by Kornel Thomas (Hungary)
2025: ‘Ballade’ for solo piano by Robert Melbourne (Australia)
2026: ‘The Sad Snake’ for narrator, violin, clarinet, cello and piano by Dario Argentesi (Italy)

Listen to the winning works of previous years