Composers Contest – 21ˢᵗ WASBE 2026 Rio de Janeiro

Celebrating Innovation

Honoring Legacy

Inspiring the future

Introduction

The World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) is proud to announce the 6th edition of the Warren Benson International Composition Contest, to be held during the 21st WASBE International Conference in the vibrant cultural city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 21 to 26, 2026.

This prestigious competition honors the memory and spirit of Warren Benson—visionary composer, educator, and champion of wind music—whose legacy continues to inspire composers to expand the expressive and technical possibilities of the wind band medium. In Benson’s spirit, WASBE remains committed to fostering boundary-pushing compositions and nurturing the next generation of creators.

Our aim is to celebrate diverse voices and daring creativity while promoting works that enrich the global wind band repertoire with lasting artistic impact.

Closing Date: November 1, 2025

Finalists

Category I

The FINALISTS are:

MIRAGE • Wes Coffin, United States
FROZEN IN TIME • Craig Sanders, United Kingdom
EPOS • René Camilleri, Malta

The jury would also like to acknowledge the following composers and their works.
Although they were not finalists in Rio, their submissions demonstrated a very high
level of artistry and compositional excellence. Congratulations to all of them.

TRIOMINO FOR BAND • Junya Negishi, Japan
ET NOX QUASI DIES LUCET • Karol Pyka, Poland
MONTANHAS MAGICAS • André Ribeiro, Portugal

Category II

The FINALISTS are:

JUX-TRANSPOSITION • Elson Kwong, Malaysia
VARIATIONS ON THE WATER • Joel Rutherford, United States
WIJSMULLER FOR WIND ENSEMBLE • Ian Schwalbe, United States

ORION THE HUNTER • Julio Domingo, Spain
FOUR CINEMATIC SCENES • Raymond Heraty, United States
INITIUM • Kevin Day, United States

The final concert of the competition will take place during the WASBE Conference in Rio de Janeiro (July 21 – 25, 2026). Following the performance of the three finalist works in each category, the winning piece will be selected.

WASBE expects the three finalist composers in each category to attend the final concert.

In accordance with the competition rules, the three finalists in each category must submit the complete materials of their works (full score and parts) in PDF format to WASBE within 15 days.

Categories & Guidelines

CATEGORY I — WIND BAND

Grade 3
Aimed at accessible yet artistically compelling works for Grade 3–4 ensembles.

Required Instrumentation:

Piccolo, Flutes 1–2, Oboe, Clarinets 1–3 in Bb, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophones 1–2, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones, Trumpets 1–3, Horns 1–2, Trombones 1–3, Euphonium (C), Tuba (C).
Non-pitched percussion: at the composer’s discretion.
Pitched percussion: at the composer’s discretion.

Optional instrumentation(not required):

2nd Oboe, 2nd Bassoon, 3rd & 4th Horn in F, Cornet

Submit the following:

Full score (PDF) with title but NOT the composer’s name.
Recording (live or MIDI)
Detailed programme note minimum 400 words (If the note is in native language, please provide an English translation)

CATEGORY II — WIND ENSEMBLE/BAND

Grade 5–6 | Duration: 10–15 minutes

Designed for advanced concert and professional ensembles.

Required Instrumentation:

Piccolo, Flute 1-2, Oboe 1-2, English-Horn, Clarinet in Bb 1-3, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1-2, Alto Saxophone 1-2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1-3, Horn in F 1-4, Trombone 1-3, Baritone/Euphonium (C), Tuba (C), Double Bass, Timpani
Non-pitched percussion: at the composer’s discretion.
Pitched percussion: at the composer’s discretion.

Possible but not mandatory:

Soprano Saxophone, Cornet 1-2, Piano, Harp.

Optional instrumentation (not required):

Flute in G, E-flat Clarinet, E-flat Alto Clarinet, B-flat Contrabass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Contrabassoon, Bass Trombone, Cornet 1, 2, Flugelhorn, Cello, Celesta/Synthesizer.
Other Auxiliary percussion instruments: at the composer’s discretion (woodblock, tambourine, tom-toms, Latin-percussion, etc.)
Other mallet instruments at the composer’s discretion (vibraphone, marimba, etc.)

Submit:

Full score (PDF) with title but NOT the composer’s name.
Recording (live or MIDI)
Detailed programme note minimum 400 words (If the note is in native language, please provide an English translation)

CATEGORY III — BREAKTHROUGH (Emerging Composers)

No grade restriction | Duration: up to 8 minutes For early-career composers ✝ who have written for the wind band medium. We want to hear your voice—this category is non-anonymous.

✝ An early career composer is defined by WASBE as a person of 18+ years, of any gender or cultural background who has had their work(s) for wind band/wind symphony/concert band rehearsed and performed publicly since January 1, 2018 (not including works performed during secondary education).

Submit:

Up to three scores (PDF) with title page and program notes (considered one single entry).
Recording (live or high quality MIDI)
Composer resumé including education, performance history of compositions to date, and career goals
Optional: website, links, or additional media

Wind band instrumentation options:

Piccolo, Flute 1-2, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb 1-3, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone 1-2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1-2, Horn in F 1-2, Trombone 1-2, Baritone/Euphonium (C), Tuba (C).
Timpani
Pitched: Mallets (at the composer’s discretion)
Non-pitched: at the composer’s discretion

Additional instrumentation may include:

2nd Oboe, E-flat Clarinet, B-flat Contrabass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, 2nd Bassoon, Contrabassoon, 3rd Trumpet in Bb, 3rd & 4th Horn in F, Bass Trombone, Cornet 1, 2, Flugelhorn, Cello, Piano/Celesta/Synthesizer, Harp.

Selection Schedule / Timeline

Selection Round I: December 15, 2025 (6 candidates selected in each category)
Selection Round II: February 1, 2026 (3 candidates selected in each category)
Final Round: July 21 & 22, 2026, Rio de Janeiro

Manuscript Preparation

(for finalists)

All entries must be original works or composer-transcribed arrangements of the composer’s own works.
Previously awarded works (first prizes) are ineligible.
Scores must be anonymous for Categories I & II. Do not include names or identifying marks.
Multi-movement works are acceptable within time limits.
The same work may not be submitted to multiple categories.
The committee may reassign a submission to a more suitable category if necessary.
All jury decisions are final and non-negotiable.
There will be no ties in the final’s competition.
The first prize may be declared void.

Additional Notes

(for all categories)

If you are selected as one of the finalists, all materials must be submitted in PDF format within 2 weeks of notification.

WASBE recommends:

A3 size scores, A4 parts
Title in footer/header
Bar numbering throughout
Standard part transpositions (including alternate world parts as listed)
Clean, clear engraving (minimum font size: 4mm)
Unified language for performance terms

All files should be emailed to Markus Mauderer, Executive Director.

Prizes & Recognition

CATEGORY I & II FINALISTS

Live performance at the 2026 WASBE Conference in Rio
High-quality audio recording of the performance
Distribution via WASBE’s online store (12 months)
Inclusion in WASBE’s “Composition of the Week” series
Interview featured on WASBE’s platforms
Print display at Midwest Clinic 2026
Promotion to WASBE event organizers

CATEGORY I & II WINNERS
(1 PER CATEGORY)

All finalist benefits plus:

Rehearsal session with a WASBE-endorsed ensemble
Feature in WASBE Magazine
1-year WASBE membership
Guaranteed international premieres via WASBE Conductors’ Forum

CATEGORY III WINNERS
(up to three selected)

Selected winners have the option to travel at their own expense to the WASBE conference in Brazil 2026 to take part in the WASBE Composition Workshop for Emerging Composers for which will operate in conjunction with the conference. Workshop participants will work with noted composer Dr. Jodie Blackshaw (AUS) as well as conductors from within the WASBE family. Winners have the opportunity to workshop one selected wind band work. This may include score manipulation and orchestration development, conductor suitability consultation and playability review. Free admission to the Conference is offered.

During the WASBE 2026 conference category III winners will take part in the following:

1 x 45 minute conductor consultation
2 x 45 minute composition consultations
20-minute interactive workshop with live band
Recording of workshop rehearsal
Attendance at conference concerts and presentations

Post Workshop, the finalised score will be considered for publication/recording by the WASBE board and if selected, featured at the WASBE Midwest Clinic 2026 booth.

Jury & Evaluation

CATEGORIES I & II will have two rounds.

Round I: Screening by WASBE Composition Committee (Enrique Hernandis, chair). Up to 6 Semi – finalists will move forward to round two.
Round II: Reviewed by international jury. Up to 3 Finalists will move forward to round three. The jury reserves the right to select less than three compositions to the final should they decide that there are no pieces that meet the levels of high artistic merit.
Round III: will occur live during the WASBE 2026 Conference and will be adjudicated by a live jury organized by the WASBE Composition Contest Committee.

ATEGORIES I & II will have two rounds.

Round I: Screening by WASBE Composition Committee (Enrique Hernandis, chair). Up to 6 Semi – finalists will move forward to round two.
Round II: Reviewed by international jury. Up to 3 Finalists will move forward to round three. The jury reserves the right to select less than three compositions to the final should they decide that there are no pieces that meet the levels of high artistic merit.
Round III: will occur live during the WASBE 2026 Conference and will be adjudicated by a live jury organized by the WASBE Composition Contest Committee.