Toru Takemitsu Composition Award

Framework of the Award

The orchestral composition competition will take place in the following years. Young composers from all over the world are urged to submit their newly created works during their preferred competition year (may enter multiple years).

Judges

2026　Jörg Widmann (Germany)
2027　Sean Shepherd (USA)

Judgement

【Preliminary Screening】
The judge will screen the submitted scores and select a certain number of works to be performed.

【Final Selection】
Those works selected during the preliminary screening will be performed in concert (“Final Concert”) at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall: Takemitsu Memorial, and the year’s award will be decided by the judge following the performance.
Final Concert and Other Information

Award

【Cash Award】
The total sum of 3,000,000 Yen, each year.
The judge may withhold the prize (i.e. in absence of a suitable entry) or divide the prize among multiple entries.
The composers whose works are selected to be performed at the final selection will be invited to attend the concert.

Competition Procedure

Eligible scores

Compositions for orchestra in any format except concerto, within the following instrumentation and to be performed with one conductor.
Scores that have been published, performed in public concert or commercially recorded before “Final Concert” are not eligible.

Instrumentation

Maximum;

• Flute 3 (may double on piccolo or alto flute)
• Oboe 3 (may double on English horn)
• Clarinet 3 (may double on E-flat or bass clarinet)
• Bassoon 3 (may double on double bassoon)
• Horn 4
• Trumpet 3
• Trombone 3
• Tuba 1
• Extra wind 1 (one extra wind not listed above may be included)
• Harp 2
• Keyboard 2 players (may include piano(s), celesta, synthesizer)
• Percussion 4 players (including Timpani)
• Violin 30
• Viola 12
• Cello 10
• Double Bass 8

• A change in instrumentation may be requested by the organizer if unusual wind / percussion instruments are used.
• Any keyboard used (synthesizers included) must be easily available in Japan. If a specific model is required, please consult with the secretariat beforehand.
• Any applicant requiring inclusion of a keyboard or synthesizer must provide their own programmed sample and tone data, compatible with the model being used.
• Computer-based synthesizers, including software synthesizers, may be included but the keyboard player must be able to play the instrument from a piano-style keyboard. The applicant must also prepare the computer, software and interface.
• Use of real-time electric amplification / modulation, or accompaniment by recorded sound tape / CD playing is not permitted.

Duration

No shorter than 10 minutes nor longer than 20 minutes.

Qualified
applicants

Any person, regardless of nationality, who is not over 35 years old at the end of the year of the application deadlines.

Application
Deadlines

For the year 2026 　Tuesday, 30 September 2025
For the year 2027 　Wednesday, 30 September 2026

• The Piece with the application form must be delivered to the following office by the above dates.
• Receipt of entries on the last day will close at 6:00 p.m. (Japan time).

How to apply

Please submit 2 copies of the bound score, together with a completed application form to the following office.

(We cannot accept scores by email.)

Download the application form （Fillable PDF）

In order to display PDF documents you need to have the Adobe Reader software installed on your computer. Adobe Reader is available for free download off the internet.

Toru Takemitsu Composition Award

Tokyo Opera City Cultural Foundation
3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-1403 , JAPAN
Tel : +81 3 5353 0770　
Fax : +81 3 5353 0771

Entry fee

Free

Further remarks

1. Only one entry allowed per person.
2. Scores that have been published, performed in public concert or commercially recorded are not eligible.
3. The title of the submitted piece should appear on the scores; however the composer’s name should not appear. (Scores will be screened anonymously)
4. Only bound scores are acceptable for submission.
5. Alterations are not permitted after entry. However, a change may be requested if the judge or conductor concludes the score includes a problem in terms of practical performance.
6. Written instructions, indications etc. must be in English, French, German, or Italian.
7. Submitted scores will not be returned.