The Ukrainian Flute Society, in cooperation with the National All-Ukrainian Music Union and the International Charitable Cultural and Scientific Family Foundation named after Mykola Lysenko, has officially announced the Young Composers Competition to be held within the framework of the V International Festival Kyiv Flute Days – 2026.
The competition is conceived as a platform for discovering and promoting new contemporary flute repertoire by young composers, with a strong focus on the international visibility of Ukrainian musical culture.
Purpose of the Competition
The primary goals of the Young Composers Competition are:
to expand the contemporary flute repertoire,
to support and promote new works by young composers,
to encourage the performance and international circulation of modern flute music,
and to highlight Ukrainian musical culture on the global stage.
Who Can Participate
The competition is open to:
composers under the age of 30 as of October 16, 2025,
composers of any nationality, excluding countries recognized as aggressor states.
Participation is free of charge, and no entry fee is required.
Competition Categories
The competition will take place in three categories:
Solo flute
Flute and piano
Flute ensemble (three or more flutes)
Each submitted work must:
have a maximum duration of 7 minutes,
have been made public no earlier than January 1, 2025.
Participants may submit one or multiple works, and may apply to one or more categories.
Jury and Performance Opportunities
The jury will consist of leading Ukrainian composers and performers, all members of the Ukrainian Flute Society.
Selected works will receive significant professional exposure:
finalist compositions will be performed during one of the festival concerts taking place March 27–30, 2026,
selected works may also be recommended for publication in a professional music edition.
Application Requirements
To apply, composers must submit:
A completed application form,
Sheet music in PDF format (engraved or high-quality manuscript),
A YouTube link to a performance recording, an audio recording, or a MIDI file.
Applications must be sent by email to:
uaflutesociety@gmail.com
Important Dates
Application deadline: January 15, 2026 (inclusive)
Announcement of results: no later than February 1, 2026
In addition to category prizes, the jury reserves the right to award:
a Grand Prix,
special prizes,
and monetary awards.
The jury’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
A Platform for New Flute Music
By integrating the competition directly into the concert life of Kyiv Flute Days, the organizers offer young composers not only recognition, but also the rare opportunity to hear their works performed in a high-profile international festival setting.
The Young Composers Competition stands as a meaningful investment in the future of flute music — encouraging innovation, artistic dialogue, and the emergence of new voices in contemporary composition
Flute Almanac regularly highlights international opportunities for composers and performers contributing to the expansion of the modern flute repertoire.
