Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition

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Recognizing outstanding achievement by a living composer in a large musical genre.

The University of Louisville School of Music is pleased to announce the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition 2027. The University will offer an international prize in recognition of outstanding achievement by a living composer in a large musical genre: choral, orchestral, chamber, electronic, song cycle, dance, opera, musical theater, extended solo work, etc.

Eligibility Period

Work publicly premiered between
Jan 1, 2021 – Dec 31, 2025

Award Amount

$100,000.00

The University of Louisville invites the submission of scores by outstanding composers throughout the world and has established the following rules and procedures for its selection of the winning work:

1

Nomination & Eligibility

Each entry for the Grawemeyer Music Award must be nominated by a professional musical organization or individual (examples would include performer or performing group, conductor, critic, publisher, or head of a professional music school or department).

  • A composer may not submit their own work.
  • No more than one work of any composer may be submitted.
  • Entries from previous winners will not be considered.
2

Submission Materials

Physical Submission (Required)
The following must be sent via mail to the Grawemeyer Music Award.

One bound copy of the full score.

(For works with non-English text, it is recommended that an English translation or English synopsis be submitted.)

Mailing Address:

Grawemeyer Music Award

School of Music, University of Louisville

2301 S. 3rd Street

Louisville, KY 40292 USA

Digital Uploads (Required)
Please upload the following via the online form.
Recording

One excellent quality recording (MP3, WAV, FLAC, MP4, MOV). Zip for multi-movement. No extraneous material.

Documentation (PDF)

Premiere performance proof (1/1/2021 - 12/31/2025). Program preferred.

Program Notes (PDF)

Notes and texts/libretto (if applicable) in English (PDF).

Supporting Letter (PDF)

From nominator stating relation to work and belief in its quality.

Composer Bio

Biography in English (PDF).

Handling Fee (Visa or Mastercard)

$50.00 USD non-refundable fee via credit card.

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Additional Procedures

Resubmissions
If the work is a resubmission, you may use the score and recording from the Grawemeyer Collection, or upload/send new ones. All other materials and fee are required.
Deadline
Nominations must reach the University by January 30, 2026. Receipt acknowledged by email within a month.
Selection Process
Winning composer notified in October 2026. Public announcement ~Dec 1, 2026. Award presented March/April 2027.
Score Retention
All scores and recordings are retained for the Grawemeyer Collection of Contemporary Music at the Dwight Anderson Memorial Music Library

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