★ ANNUAL COMPOSITION AWARD
The Black Bayou Composition Award
Each year, New Music on the Bayou recognizes an outstanding new work selected from our call for scores.
The Black Bayou Composition Award is given to the work that best reflects music's connection to nature. The winning piece is announced at the festival's closing event at Black Bayou Lake. The composer receives a cash prize with a commission to be premiered at the following year's festival.
CASH PRIZE
Awarded to the winning composer
$700
AWARDEE PREMIERE
Scheduled for following year
Commission
RUNNERS-UP
Awarded to two composers
$150
Who can enter
✓ Composers of any age, nationality, or career stage.
✓ All materials including scores and recordings must be anonymized for consideration.
✓ Up to two submissions per composer per year.
How it works
Winter
Call for scores opens
Submit your work through the online portal during the open submission period that opens around December 1
Early spring
Jury review
A panel reviews all submissions and selects the year's festival selections and award recipients.
Mid spring
Selections announced
Composers of all selections are notified. Attendance is required in order to have a piece performed.
June
Winner announced
The Black Bayou Composition Award is presented at the final event of the festival.
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Past recipients
Xu Zheng
A Tree Portrait
Jonah Elrod
In the Absence of Snow
Kyle Krause
Biomimicry
Christopher Mortlock
Brightening Band
Oswald Huỳnh
Aubade with Ashen Clouds, Scarlet Sky
Timothy Roy
Southern Specter
Daniel Fawcett
Skulptures I-III
Steven Landis
IMPACT
William Price
I/O
John Teske
topographies