The 5th Marek Stachowski National Competition for Young Composers

The Department of Composition at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Krakow and Penderecki Academy Press announced the 5th Marek Stachowski National Competition for Young Composers. The competition is open to permanent residents of Poland or individuals studying in Poland in 2026, who were born no earlier than January 1, 1997, and are at least 18 years old at the time of submission. The deadline for submitting scores is September 21, 2026.

The objective of the competition is to compose a 10–15 minute piece for a chamber ensemble of 4–5 instruments (to be selected from the provided list) in a broadly defined contemporary musical style. The guiding theme is "Birds" (as a reference to Marek Stachowski's composition Birds). Each participant may submit no more than two original works.

The submitted work must be free from any third-party rights or claims. Furthermore, prior to the announcement of the competition results, the piece must not have been awarded in any other competition, published in any form, or performed in public. The competition will be decided in a single stage by a Jury chaired by Prof. Wojciech Widłak, PhD. The results will be announced by October 31.

The Organizers intend to select one winning piece, the author of which will receive the Grand Prize, and to award two further prizes (2nd and 3rd Prize).

Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC.

More information available at: https://www.amuz.krakow.pl/konkursy/konkursy-kompozytorskie/ogolnopolski-konkurs-mlodych-kompozytorow-im-marka-stachowskiego/2026-2/