Join the Young Composers Competition
Would you like to do more with your music and are up to 18 years old? The NBE Young Composers Competition is the place for you! Whether you sing, make beats, play an instrument, compose or rap - anything goes, as long as you make it up yourself.
Your challenge this year: think about your ideal world. If you could shape a new world, what do you envision? Tell it with a song, soundscape or symphony - in whatever style.
On this page you will find all information regarding the Young Composers Competition 2025 and the subscription form. On our Instagramaccount @composerstoolbox we'll share updates and inspiration. Do you have any questions? Ask them via Instagram or componeren@nbe.nl. You can sign up until 12 October 2025, we're looking forward to hearing your composition!
Voor Nederlands, klik hier.
Do you create your own music and are you up to 18 years old? Then enter the NBE Young Composers Competition! Whether you sing, rap, make beats or compose on your instrument – anything goes, as long as you make it up yourself. During the Young Composers Competition you will receive guidance from experienced composers and arrangers, meet other young musicians, gain stage experience and have your work performed by top musicians. The competition turns out to be a springboard for many serious composing talents in the Netherlands and produces beautiful new compositions every year.
From the Showcases in October to the Composers Weekend and the Finale in December, you will work on your own composition. At the end, you have a chance of winning the Audience Award and the grand prize: standing on stage at the NBE’s New Year’s Concert!
Our challenge this year for you: think about your ideal world. If you could shape a new world, what do you envision? Tell it your way, with a song, soundscape or symphony – in whatever style.
You can write a piece for:
- your own instrument/voice
- your band or other own music group
- the jongNBE, possibly with yourself (in this case, make sure to send the sheet music, the score and the different parts)
In addition, the following applies:
- your piece has a maximum duration of 4 minutes
- you are not older than 18 years
Questions? Ask them via componeren@nbe.nl.
How does it work?
The Young Composers Competition consists of multiple rounds: the selection, the Showcases, the Composers Weekend, the Finale and the New Year’s Concert.
Participants can submit their compositions until October 12. All compositions will be listened to and evaluated by an expert jury of NBE musicians and composers. The main criteria are originality and quality. Per region (north, center, south) pieces will be selected to advance to the regional Showcases.
If your composition is selected, you will be invited to perform your piece during the regional Showcases. You can perform alone, with friends, or, if you have written a piece for (members of) jongNBE, together with these musicians! A jury consisting of NBE musicians, composers, arrangers, and a previous winner of the composition competition will choose winners who will advance to the next round. Selection criteria: the New Year's Concert is a mix of styles, and we want to see this mix in the music of young composers as well. Therefore, when choosing the winners, in addition to originality and quality of the composition, we also consider diversity in terms of music style, age, gender, and presentation.
During this Composers Weekend, all participating composers and NBE musicians come together. They rehearse, learn, listen, and eat together during the day, and each evening there is a concert performance for the public. After each concert, composers are chosen who are guaranteed a spot in the Finale. Additionally, there are 'wildcards' available, which will be awarded at the end of the weekend. Therefore, after this weekend, we will know which participants will advance to the Finale!.
During the Finale the young composers compete for a spot in the New Year's Concert. They are the top of young composing talent in the Netherlands. Three of them will be chosen to perform their piece with the NBE during the New Year's Concert at the Concertgebouw.
The winners of the Young Composers Competition get to perform their piece on stage together with the NBE at the annual New Year's Concert. The New Year's Concert is performed once on December 31 and twice on January 1 in the Main Hall of Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and is broadcasted on tv on January 1 by BNNVARA.
FIRST ROUND: SELECTION
SU 12 OCT 2025 Application deadline
SECOND ROUND: SHOWCASES
TH 30 OCT 2025
FR 31 OCT 2025
SA 1 NOV 2025
SU 2 NOV 2025
THIRD ROUND: COMPOSERS WEEKEND
SA 13 & SU 14 DEC 2025 Akoesticum, Ede
FOURTH ROUND: FINALE
SU 21 DEC 2025 TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht
FIFTH ROUND: NEW YEAR'S CONCERT
WED 31 DEC 2025 & TH 1 JAN 2026 Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
Every year, you can vote for your favorite young composer! All participants of the Young Composers Competition have a chance to win the Audience Award. Until December 15th, you can let us know which compositions are your favorites. The winner will be announced during The Finale and will receive tickets to the New Year’s Concert and a surprise package.
If you create your own music and want to take it further, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about it. You will be guided by composers/arrangers who can give you valuable advice to develop your skills in music. You’ll also meet other young musicians, gain stage experience, and of course, have the chance to win the Audience Award and the grand prize: performing on stage with the Netherlands Wind Ensemble at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam!
During the competition, the young composers will be guided by experienced composers/arrangers.
The Young Composers Competition is organised by the NBE in collaboration with BNNVARA, Factorium, VRIJDAG, Cultuur19, Akoesticum, TivoliVredenburg Utrecht and Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam.
