Ensemble Contemporary α
Call for Compositions
The Ensemble Contemporary α invites submissions for a premiere at its March 2027 concert.
Submission Guidelines
1. Eligibility
Not exceeding 40 years old on the date of the premiere (March 18, 2027)
No restriction on nationality
2. Composition
・Submission condition: Work(s) must not have been previously premiered and must not have been published. However, works that premiered solely within educational institutions such as universities shall be treated as ‘unpremiered’.
・Instrumentation: 3 to 6 players selected from: 1 flute (piccolo, alto flute), 1 oboe (English horn), 1 clarinet (bass clarinet), 1 bassoon, 1 horn, 1 piano (Playing inside the piano and preparation are NOT permitted), (Conductor is not included in the count. )
・ Duration: not exceeding 10 minutes
3. Submission
・Number of entries: Multiple works may be submitted. However, please use a separate submission form for each work.
・Only the title should be written on the score cover; do not include the composer's name. Please do not include any markings that could identify the composer.
・Application Fee: 5,000 Japanese Yen per work submitted.
・Payment method: PayPal. Send payment to: contemporary.alpha@gmail.com
Applicants are responsible for PayPal transfer fees.
・Please note that if the payment cannot be confirmed after the application period, your submission will be cancelled.
・Application Deadline: Sunday 15th November 2026, 23:59 (JST)
・Application Method: After logging into your Google Account, complete the required fields in the application form below, and upload a score file (in PDF format) and a programme note file (in PDF format, approximately 200 words in English or 400 letters in Japanese) separately.
〔Application Form〕https://forms.gle/tg2rv7B46CVb9vs49
4. Selection Process
Selection Committee: Ensemble Contemporary α composer members
Announcement: The selected work (one piece) will be announced on our website by the end of December 2026.
Feedback: Written feedback from the selection committee will be provided if requested. Please indicate your
preference in the application form.
5. Rehearsals and Performance
We welcome the selected composer to attend rehearsals and the premiere. However, please note that travel and accommodation expenses are to be borne by the composer. Upon request, online rehearsal(s) may be arranged.
6. Other Matters
・The composer of the selected work must provide the performance material (i.e., score and parts).
・Video recording of the premiere performance will be provided.
・Royalties for selected work will be paid to the copyright management organisation to which the composer belongs.
・Composers not affiliated with a copyright organization will be paid in accordance with JASRAC standards.
7. Performance Overview
Date & Time: Thursday, 18th March 2027, 19:00
Venue: Tokyo Opera City Recital Hall (Sinjuku, Tokyo) https://www.operacity.jp/concert/facilities/rh/
Programme:
・Selected work of this calling for score
・Yumi Saiki：Esprit brisé （2025） for 2 pianos
・Hitomi Kaneko：RESPIRATION Ⅵ le mécanisme du corps humain (2009) pour percussion et violoncelle
・Hiroaki Takaha：Gamma Correction （2021）for two instruments
・Suguru Wagatsuma：commissioned work （world premiere）for violin, viola, violoncello
・Akira Nishimura： Karura : Concerto for oboe and chamber orchestra（2000）
8. Contact Information
Ensemble Contemporary α Office: contemporary.alpha@gmail.com
Ensemble Contemporary α Website: https://www.contemporary-alpha.com
Ensemble Contemporary α YouTube: https://www.youtube.com @contemporary-alpha
