Poetry & Music Composition Competition
Augustana Arts (Denver, CO), invites emerging composers from the Denver and greater Colorado area to submit original works inspired by poetry. In collaboration with Adams County Poet Laureate Aerik Francis, competition winners (up to two), will have the opportunity to have their composition performed live by Denver-based ensemble, Stratus Chamber Orchestra in a performance on March 13, 2027. Learn more about the concert here.
The deadline for submission is Friday, January 22nd, 2027.
About the Competition
This competition encourages participants to explore the relationship between poetry and music, transforming literary imagery into a compelling orchestral or chamber ensemble work. We are seeking compositions from university students and recent graduates to promote emerging composers and to broaden modern day concert repertoire. A live performance entitled Body of Words is set for March 13th at Waymire Dome in Adams County. The performance will include a commission by Denver-based composer Nathan Hall, up to two compositions by Denver-area high school students participating in guided learning sessions and up to two university student level compositions.
Participation Requirements:
Denver or Colorado resident
Collegiate or graduate level student currently enrolled in a music program or recent graduates
Music composition major preferred
Composition Requirements:
Work is to be 3-7 minutes in length
Written for full chamber orchestra or at least 5 instruments (instrument list below)
Music is inspired by the poetry of Aerik Francis. Intended poems are linked below
Note: the composer may choose whether to/how they would like to integrate the words into the music. There are no requirements around this.
No specific style or genre is required
Available Instrumentation:
Woodwinds: flute (1), oboe (1), clarinet (1), bassoon (1)
Brass: horn (2), trumpet (1), trombone (1), tuba (1)
Strings: violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, bass (4.4.4.3.2)
Percussion (2): drums, keyboards, auxiliary
Guitar (1)
It is not required to write for the full instrumentation above.
Submission Guidelines:
Compositions can be submitted on this webpage.
Upload score & parts (PDF)
MIDI audio (SMF)
Include title page- title of piece, composer name, instrumentation, and the name of the poem that the work was inspired by.
The form for submission of all materials is at the bottom of this page
Adjudication Process:
The week after the submission date of January 22nd, 2027, an artistic panel will evaluate each composition submission. Works will be listened to and voted on for the opportunity to be performed live at Body of Words on March 13th.
Evaluation criteria:
Creativity and innovation within a multidisciplinary arts composition setting
Quality and a strong tie to the poem used as inspiration
Fit and cohesiveness of the work will be considered when programming the full performance
Competition Procedures:
The decisions of the adjudicators are final. Winners will be announced in early February. All other submissions will receive an honorable mention at Body of Words on March 13th. The winner(s) of the competition will be featured in an Augustana Arts newsletter leading up to the March 13th performance.
There will be a stipend of $100 for the winner(s) of the Poetry & Music Composition Competition.
A live audio recording of the winning composition(s) will be made available to competition winner(s).
The Poems of Aerik Francis
Preference will be given to compositions based on the following poems. Secondary consideration will be given to compositions based on other poems by Aerik Francis or Denver poet Suzi Q Smith, with tertiary consideration given to music inspired by the poetry of other poets.
Composition Submission
Please Include:
Score & parts (1 PDF preferred, title page required)
MIDI audio (SMF, MP3)
Please contact Education & Program Manager Josh Decker for more information at Josh@AugustanaArts.org