2024 Barlow Prize

The winning composer will receive a $15,000 commission for a major new work of 15-20 minutes for the organ. The work will be premiered by a consortium of performers: Chelsea Chen, Don Cook, Janette Fishell, and Bradley Hunter Welch.

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Chelsea Chen

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Don Cook

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Janette Fishell

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Bradley Hunter Welch

All application materials must be UPLOADED ELECTRONICALLY BEFORE MIDNIGHT, MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME (MDT) ANNUALLY ON JUNE 1.

The online application system will close automatically at 11:59pm (MDT) on June 1 and will NOT accept any submissions after that time. The Endowment does not make exceptions for submissions delayed because of natural disasters, faulty internet or applicant neglect. Neither does the Endowment take responsibility for contacting the applicant if the application is incomplete or submitted erroneously.

Please plan accordingly.

If you have questions regarding the application process, please check the FAQ page. If you experience difficulties during the application process, please call or email us:

801-422-8611

barlowendowment@byu.edu

TO APPLY, SEE APPLICATION PROCEDURES BELOW.

Guidelines for Applying

Eligibility

Application Procedures

Submission and Care of Materials

Deadlines

Judging

We encourage applicants from a variety of musical aesthetics and backgrounds to apply. There are no restrictions or preferences with regard to musical style, nationality, age, gender, race, religion, locale, or political persuasion. Composers may apply for the Prize and either a General OR a Latter-day Saints commission.

The only limitations are:

1) Composers who have won the Barlow Prize in the previous five years will not be considered in the Prize competition. FAQS

2) The Barlow Endowment is only able to grant commissions to composers who are not included among the premiering performers, conductors, directors, or agents of the commissioned work.

3) Current members of the Barlow Boards, guest judges, or interns are not eligible to apply. FAQS

Only one application will be accepted per composer.
Anonymous submission is not necessary. FAQS
Commission award is for composer fees only. FAQS
Exactly two (2) pdf scores TOTAL (1 copy of each score) are allowed: FAQS
- one must be no more than 5 years old (originally written, not a revision),
- of the two works submitted, one should be your best work (regardless of instrumentation), and
- the other should be your best work that is closest to the ensemble/performer requirement for which you are applying. FAQS
- The Endowment does not provide advice to applicants regarding which piece of music best represents them and their abilities.
Recordings of the two scores should be uploaded only as .aac, .m4a or .mp3 formats as part of the application form. No other formats will be accepted (including MIDI). Live recordings are encouraged. FAQS
If the audio cannot be extracted from a video file, a video link will be permissible.
- Prepare your recordings before starting your application.
- Only one recording for each score is permitted.
- Applications will NOT be accepted without a recording uploaded.
Other documents are requested to be uploaded with the materials. See the list under “Submission and Care of Materials” tab.
Prepare all materials before starting the application.
- Please note that all submissions are final.
- After submitting the application, applicants may not change or add anything to their submission.
Start the application process for the Barlow Prize by clicking on the application link found below.

Barlow Prize Online Application

Everything is submitted electronically. During the application process, you will need to upload the following documents:

Scores in a PDF format FAQS
- Exactly two (2) pdf scores TOTAL (1 copy of each score):
  - one must be no more than 5 years old (originally written, not a revision),
  - of the two works submitted, one should be your best work (regardless of instrumentation), and
  - the other should be your best work that is closest to the instrumentation requirement for which you are applying. FAQS
Recordings in an MP3, M4A or AAC format. Live recordings are encouraged. No other formats will be accepted (including MIDI).
Documents in a PDF format
- Composer list of compositional activity
- Brief biography
- Video Links if applicable
In preparation for your application, please have the following items ready to upload:
- PDFs of scores (titled: Composerlastname Firstname Score scoretitle) ex: Doe Jane Score Here Comes the Sun
- MP3 or AAC sound files of scores (titled: Composerlastname Firstname Recording scoretitle) ex: Doe Jane Recording Here Comes the Sun.
- Brief biography – one page (titled: Composerastname Firstname Bio)
- List of compositional activities (titled: Composerlastname Firstname List)
- A PDF of a video link (optional) (titled: Composerlastname Firstname Video Score Title) ex: Doe Jane Video Here Comes the Sun

The Barlow Endowment office must RECEIVE the materials electronically before midnight (MDT) annually on June 1—the application will close automatically at 11:59pm (MDT) June 1. The Endowment does not make exceptions for submissions delayed because of natural disasters, faulty internet or applicant neglect. Please plan accordingly. FAQS

The Barlow Prize will be judged during the summer by the Barlow Endowment Board of Advisors and additional guest judges who represent the interests and perspectives of the performers. The Barlow Endowment will notify the winner, participants, and friends of the Endowment of the results before August 31. FAQS

If, in the opinion of the judging panel, no applicant merits the Barlow Prize, it will not be awarded.