The Konsonans Foundation and the Department of Composition, Music Theory and Sound Engineering at the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz
cordially invite you to participate in the 4th Intercollegiate Composition Competition "The Dark Side of Art". This edition challenges participants to compose a piece for assigned instruments within a 12-hour overnight session. An integral part of the competition will be workshops focused on instrumental techniques and the development of digital competencies. Application deadline: November 10, 2025.
The competition is open to all composition students from Polish music universities, while the workshops (accessible online) will also be available to creators in the wider creative sector.
In the newly opened AMFN campus, dedicated rooms will be provided for participants to compose overnight (from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM) a new piece for instruments specified by the Jury. Before the composing session begins, participants will draw randomly assigned requirements that must be incorporated into their piece. They will also have the opportunity to consult with instrumentalists during the process.
Stage I – Preselection:
The Jury will select one student from each Academy of Music and Music University in Poland. By November 10, candidates must submit one score representative of their current work to [
The Konsonans Foundation and the Faculty of Composition, Music Theory, and Sound Engineering of the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz invite you to participate in the 4th Intercollegiate Composition Competition “The Dark Side of Art.”
The subject of this edition is to compose a piece for assigned instruments within 12 night hours. An integral part of the competition will be workshops covering instrumental studies and enhancing digital competencies. The application deadline is November 10, 2025.
The competition is open to all composition students from Polish music academies, while the workshops (via online transmission) are open to creators from the creative sector.
In the new AMFN campus, rooms will be reserved for the competition participants, where they will be able to compose overnight (from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM the following day) a piece for instruments specified by the Jury. Before the competition begins, participants will draw specific requirements that must be incorporated into their compositions. Consultations with instrumentalists will also be possible.
Stage I of the competition (qualifying round):
The Jury will select one student from each Academy of Music and the Music University. By November 10, applicants must submit one score representative of their artistic work to [
Stage II of the competition (night challenge):
This will take place during the night of December 5–6, 2025, at the new campus of the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz.
On January 29, 2026, a concert of the laureates will be held in the AMFN Concert Hall, where all compositions from Stage II will be performed. After the concert, the Jury will evaluate the works and announce the results.
The top three winners will be awarded the title of laureate and receive cash prizes:
- 1st Prize – 3000 PLN
- 2nd Prize – 2000 PLN
- 3rd Prize – 1000 PLN
Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC
Rules and regulations: https://www.amuz.bydgoszcz.pl/konkurs/
