2026 Musicworks Electronic Music Composition Contest

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GET IN THE LOOP: The 2026 Musicworks Electronic Music Composition Contest opens AUGUST 1!

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MUSICWORKS ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPOSITION CONTEST RULES

MUSIC

Compose/submit an experimental piece in any electronic-music genre—acousmatic, electroacoustic, glitch, soundscape, intelligent dance music (IDM), turntable art, video music et. al.

ELIGIBILITY

The contest is open to entries from anyone located anywhere in the world and from artists at any age or stage of career. Pieces must be previously unpublished, i.e. not released on a commercially available recording at the time of submission.

Maximum length: 10 minutes. Accepted file types: MP3 or MP4 only.

Due to the volume of entries and technical constraints, maximum lengths and smaller file sizes are necessary. The winner will have an opportunity to submit a high-resolution file type at full length for publication. For files over 50MB, please upload a dummy file to complete entry fee payment, and send the full version of your song directly to manager@musicworks.ca.

Contest entry fee is $30*.

Entrants receive a FREE one-year subscription to the print edition of Musicworks (3 magazines + 3 CDs, $44-$59 value)!

Additional entries are $5* each, unlimited.

*Cash prizes and entry fees are listed in Canadian dollars. Payment will be processed in your local currency.

PRIZES*

First prize is $500, a composer profile in Musicworks magazine in 2026, and the composition released on the Musicworks CD.

Second prize is $200 and composer coverage on musicworks.ca.

Third prize is $100 and composer coverage on musicworks.ca.

Attention female and non-binary composers! The Marcelle Deschênes Prize in Electronic Music / prix Marcelle Deschênes pour la musique électronique is $300 and coverage in Musicworks. All composer entrants who self-identify as female or non-binary are eligible for this prize. Please write "Marcelle Prize" in the "Note" box found in your cart during the contest submission process to be considered for this prize. Learn more about the prize here!

JURY AND TIMELINE
This is a juried contest. Jurors will not know the identities of the entrants. Please DO NOT include your name in the filename/title of your submission. OPTIONAL: Add a link to your website in the "Note" box found during checkout. Jury process begins in early 2027, and winners will be notified in Spring 2027.

The 2026 EMC Contest closes NOVEMBER 9, 2026 at 11:59 PST.

Having difficulty submitting your entry? Any questions about the rules?
Please contact manager@musicworks.ca

Musicworks Society of Ontario Inc. is a nonprofit organization. Contest fees support administration costs of the contest, as well as related outreach and publishing activities.