Deadline: January 15, 2026

Application link

The International Trombone Festival is excited to sponsor the ninth annual COMPOSERS WORKSHOP, to be held in Riga, Latvia at the Latvian Academy of Music: July 29-August 1, 2026, featuring coaching and master classes with the composer in residence, Johan de Meij, and performances of accepted compositions.

Eligibility: Any composer,18 years or older (at the time of the festival) of any nationality is eligible to submit a maximum of one score, featuring trombone(s) in chamber music or solo settings.

Instrumentation for the ITF Festival: Trombone choir (6-12 performers, including any combination of alto, tenor, and/or bass trombones), trombone quartet (3 tenor trombones, and 1 bass), trombone trio or solo trombone (alto, tenor, bass, or contrabass) and piano. No other instruments will be allowed at this time.

Length of composition: Less than 10 minutes, including all movements. Longer works will be considered, based on merit.

Composition Requirements: Submitted compositions must be 100% original. Previous performances of the submitted composition are allowed, provided that they were not a ticketed event by professional musician(s) or otherwise in a format that would meaningfully detract from the “new music” or “premiere” status of the ITF concert format.

Participation: Accepted composers will be invited to the 2026 Composers Workshop in Riga, Lativa at the Latvian Academy of Music and will participate in exclusive master class opportunities with the composer in residence. Accepted scores will be presented on a Composers Workshop Recital or other featured performance, performed by ITF artists, presenters, registrants, college groups, and/or faculty. Composers will have the unique opportunity to work with them in rehearsals. In addition, Composers Workshop attendees will have access to the full ITF schedule, which includes numerous master classes, concerts, and workshops. In order to have selected pieces performed and recognized by the ITF, composers must register for the festival.

ITF Registration: ITF Registration:  Composers who are selected must pay the regular, full registration rate of $250 (U.S.) and are strongly encouraged to attend the ITF in person in Riga, Latvia. There is no virtual option for the workshop. The ITF does not provide financial support for travel, registration, housing, meals, or other costs. Selected composers unable to afford travel expenses can still receive a performance and a virtual private lesson with ITF's composer-artist for the price of registration.  A livestream of the performance is available (to members) and recordings will be sent to composers at a later date after the festival. For more information about the ITF schedule, please visit the ITF page. Housing is available either on-site in dorms or in local hotels.

ITF Composers Catalog: Participants will have the option of including their chosen work on the ITF website’s Composers Workshop Catalog page once that page has been developed.

Application requirements:

To apply, please submit an application, using this form. Have the following items ready: (All links should have public access or risk being disqualified.)

-Short bio detailing career highlights

-Current resume or curriculum vitae (include current contact information, educational background, list of published/non-published works, and other pertinent, professional information to composing)

-Score in PDF format. Do not send parts at this time. Parts will be requested from the selected composers. Score should  include any additional information necessary for the performance of the work. Scores that are not in PDF format will not be considered.

-A recording of the piece. Submit a URL to a recording of the piece on any online platform (YouTube, Soundcloud, Dropbox, websites, etc.)  If a live recording is not available, a MIDI or other digital representation is acceptable.

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