The winning composer will receive a $15,000 commission from the Barlow Endowment to compose a major new work for wind ensemble—a group of 40-45 players that make up the standard instrumentation for that group.  A national performing consortium of three prominent bands and wind ensembles will premiere the work in 2015: United States Marine Band (Washington D.C.—Col. Michael Colburn, Director); Brigham Young University Wind Symphony (Provo, Utah—Dr. Donald Peterson, Director); and a Florida State University Wind Orchestra (Tallahassee, Florida—Dr. Richard Clary).

The 12-15 minute work is expected to meet the highest artistic requirements for the medium.  Additional specifications for the work will be negotiated among the Barlow Endowment, the composer, and the performing consortium. Half of the commission fee will be paid when the contract for the commission is signed, but no sooner than January 1, 2014, and the other half will be paid when the finished score is submitted to the Endowment.

For the application and more guidelines, click here.

A General Commission by composer Andrew Norman entitled Music in Circles III, premiered April 20, 2013 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California. The commission was the centerpiece of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's "Concertos: Handel & Mozart" concert and was conducted by Jeffrey Kahane. The piece was also performed again on April 21, 2013 in Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA. There was also a performance of the piece in Sonoma, California on April 27, 2013.

In a review in the Los Angeles Times, journalist Mark Swed said, "Music in Circles III is a terrific 12-minute piece and it got the great performance it deserves. What has been clear for a while was confirmed Saturday: Norman is on his way." To read more about this premiere, click here or here.

Meanwhile, a 2004 General Commission composed by Stephen Hartke for the ensemble eighth blackbird was the recipient of two 2013 Grammy Awards, one for Best Contemporary Classical Composition and another for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance. To read more about the awards, please visit this website or this website.

Imaginary Dances, a Barlow Prize piece written by Clint Needham, was premiered by the ensemble fifth house May 5, 2013 in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center. fifth house is one of three ensembles that are commissioned to premeire Needham's piece. Additional performances of the piece by fifth house were held May 9, 2013 at Washington Park in Chicago, Illinois, May 10, 2013 at Humbolt Park in Chicago, Illinois, May 11, 2013 at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, Ilinois, and May 16, 2013 in Austin Town Hall in Chicago, Illinois.

Leilei Tian's LDS Commission, In Our Image, In Our Likeness, was awarded "Jarnakerstipendiet" in December 2012, the most important award for chamber music in Sweden. To read more about this award,please click here.

MAY 30, 2013

Performance of Harold Meltzer's Barlow Prize Winning piece at the Riverside Church in New York City, New York at 8pm. Performed by the Locrian Chamber Players.

MAY 31, 2013

Performance of Harold Meltzer's Barlow Prize Winning piece at the Bargemusic in New York City, New York at 8pm. Performed by the Locrian Chamber Players.

For more information about premieres and performances, please click here.