Composers worldwide invited to compete for prestigious Azrieli Music Prizes

The Azrieli Music, Arts and Culture Centre (AMACC) has officially opened its Call for Submissions on 7 February for the 2026 Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP)—one of the world’s most significant composition competitions.

Created in 2014 by Sharon Azrieli CQ for the Azrieli Foundation, AMP celebrates excellence in music composition by offering the largest prize package of its kind. Past winners include Keiko Devaux, Rita Ueda, Iman Habibi, Yotam Haber, and Avner Dorman, whose AMP-winning works have since gained international recognition.

Composers from around the world are invited to submit scores and proposals for choir and orchestra (with optional soloists), across four prize categories:

•  The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music invites Canadian composers to propose new musical works that embrace the complexities of composing in Canada today.
•  The Azrieli Commission for International Music invites composers worldwide to deeply engage in a creative interplay of cultures that have meaningful connections to their lived experience.
•  The Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music invites composers to creatively and critically engage with the question, “What is Jewish music?”
•  The Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music is awarded to a composer who has written the best undiscovered work of Jewish music. Eligible works may have been premiered within 75 years of the award date but must not have a significant performance history or be commercially recorded.

Each AMP Laureate will receive a prize package worth over CAD$200,000, including a CAD$50,000 cash award, a Montreal premiere of their work, at least two international performances, a commercial recording, and extensive career-building support.

“We are looking for composers who exhibit the most creativity, artistry, proficiency and expertise to become the next cohort of AMP Laureates. Our commitment is to help advance their careers and extend the reach of their award-winning music.” says Sharon Azrieli, Chair of Azrieli Music, Arts and Culture Centre and a Board Member of the Azrieli Foundation. “Our prize programme gives Laureates the gift of time and support to compose the best new pieces possible. Then, we offer them maximum career-building exposure by presenting their award-winning works in key music markets, supplemented by a professional recording and an extensive promotional campaign.”

AMP accepts nominations and proposals for works from individuals and institutions of all ages, genders, nationalities, faiths and backgrounds. 

Submissions are open until 2 May 2025. For more information, visit azrielifoundation.org/amp