Stella Unica International Young Composers Competition
Information & Regulations
The Stella Unica International Young Composers Competition invites composers ages 5–18 from around the world to submit original works for professional evaluation. Each participant will receive detailed personalized written feedback from a professional composer.
Competition Format & Important Dates
The competition is conducted online through score and recording submissions.
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Application Deadline: October 25, 2026
Live Winners’ Concerts: November 14, 2026
Performance Sessions: 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM
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An online Winners' Concert will be available for participants who are unable to attend in person.
Additional details will be announced at a later date.
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Stella Unica Prizewinners’ Recital - Online: December 1, 2026
A prerecorded concert celebrating all Stella Unica prizewinners, featuring previously submitted performance videos and recordings from the live Winners’ Concert.
Live Concert Venue
Tracy Powers Concert Hall
Age Divisions & Maximum Performance Time
Participants will be assigned to a division based on their age as of November 14, 2026:
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Junior Division: Ages 5–8 — up to 5 minutes
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Pre-Intermediate Division: Ages 9–11 — up to 5 minutes
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Intermediate Division: Ages 12–14 — up to 8 minutes
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Senior Division: Ages 15–18 — up to 8 minutes
Category I
​Ages 5–8
Category II
​Ages 9–11
Category III
​Ages 12–14
Category IV
​Ages 15–18
Eligible Compositions
Original compositions may be written for the following:
Solo Works
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Solo piano
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Any unaccompanied classical instrument
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Unaccompanied solo voice
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Duos
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Piano duet for one piano, four hands
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Two-piano duo
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Solo instrument and piano
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Voice and piano
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Any other instrumental duo
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Chamber Music
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Instrumental or vocal-instrumental ensembles of three to five performers
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Works for orchestra, choir, large ensemble, electronic media alone, or more than five performers are not eligible.
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Compositions in any musical style are welcome, provided they are original and meet the instrumentation and duration requirements.
Original compositions may be written for:​
Solo piano
Any solo instrument
Voice and chamber ensemble
​Chamber ensemble of up to five performers​
Piano duet​
Solo instrument and piano​
Voice and piano​
Application Requirements
Each applicant must submit:
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A complete and legible score in PDF format
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An audio or video recording of the composition
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A completed online application form
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A non-refundable application fee of $75
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Live recordings are encouraged but not required. High-quality MIDI or computer-generated recordings are accepted.
The composer is not required to perform the submitted work.
A separate application and fee are required for each composition.
Originality & Copyright
The submitted composition must be the applicant’s original work.
If a vocal composition uses text written by another person, the text must be in the public domain or used with the copyright holder’s permission.
Composers retain the copyright to their works.
Evaluation Criteria
Compositions will be evaluated based on:
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Originality and creativity
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Musical structure and development
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Effective writing for the selected instrument or ensemble
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Artistic expression
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Clarity of notation
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Overall musical impression
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The jury’s decisions are final.
Awards
The competition will be evaluated by professional composers and distinguished musicians.
The members of the Composition Competition jury will be announced separately.
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Certificates for all participants and their teachers
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Diplomas, medals, trophies, and special awards for winners
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Selected winning compositions may be performed at the Gala Concert
The jury may grant multiple awards or withhold an award if no composition meets the required standard.
Participant and Teacher Recognition
Every participant will receive:
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A detailed personalized written evaluation
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An official Certificate of Participation
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Winners will receive official diplomas and, when applicable, trophies, medals, special awards, and recognition on the competition website.
Each participating teacher will receive a Teacher Recognition Certificate.
Performance of Winning Compositions
Selected winning compositions may be presented during the live Winners’ Concerts.
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A composition may be performed by the composer or by another approved performer or ensemble. Performance arrangements will be coordinated with the young composer’s parent, legal guardian, or representative.
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The composer is not required to attend or personally perform the work.
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Winning compositions that cannot be presented at the live concerts may be included in an online Winners’ Concert.
Award Delivery
Physical awards may be mailed to winners who cannot attend the live concerts. Shipping arrangements must be coordinated in advance with the Competition Director.
Permissions
By entering the competition, participants and their parents or legal guardians grant Stella Unica permission to announce the results and use authorized photographs, biographies, and competition performance recordings for promotional purposes.
Participation confirms acceptance of these regulations. Incomplete or ineligible applications may be disqualified.