4th Quarter : October-January Composition Competition

LEMISA Composition Competition 2025-26

Call for Entries

LEMISA invites composers to submit original works for Brass and/or Wind Quintet, Sextet, Septet, or Octet.
Composers may optionally include a keyboard instrument (Piano, Harpsichord,  Organ) or electronic component (samples with click track) as the 6th, 7th or 8th member of the ensemble.

Competition Stipulations

• Style: Contemporary concert music for classical instrumentation. Idiomatic writing is essential.
• Eligibility: Open to all composers, regardless of age or experience.
• Originality: Works must be original and unpublished.
  • They may not have received prior awards or recognition in another competition.
  • They may not have had a public premiere elsewhere.
• Duration: 5–8 minutes.
• Format: Submit a PDF score and MIDI and/or audio mockup.

Concept

• Lemisa is setup with the idea that we provide more opportunities for more musicians to participate and not less for fewer.
• In keeping with this underlying intention, the imperative to choose multiple compositions for debut and promotion is essential.
• In addition, we strive to pay our participating musicians as well as the competition will allow.
• This is a non-profit venture designed to generate opportunities for composers and the performing musicians, this in turn will grow the ecosystem not only locally but globally.
• Thank you for being part of this movement

Submission Process

• Make payment of $20 (all registration fees will go to the musicians who will be performing the compositions, and the cost of recording/video production).
• Create a folder in your Google Drive, and share it with lemisamusic@gmail.com.
• Include the following:
  • PDF score and parts
  • DAW audio rendering as mp3 or WAV
• If you prefer an anonymous submission, replace your name and title with a four-digit code on your score.

Prizes and Recognition

• Ten works will be selected for debut performance and HD recording.
• Winning composers will receive:
  • Professional audio and video recording of their work
  • Performance by established professional musicians in Cape Town including members of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, staff from UCT and Stellenbosch University music departments as well as LEMISA.
  • Promotion of your debut performance on our social media channels and website
• All participants will receive written feedback from the adjudication panel.
• Adjudication panel will consist of local composers and musicians with extensive experience in composition and chamber music performance.
• An invitation to publish and sell their winning work from Lemisa's site. (All proceed's will go to the composer)

Key Dates

Entries close: Midnight, 31 January 2026

LEMISA continues to create platforms for new music,