The Azrieli Music, Arts and Culture Centre has opened the call for submissions for the suite of four prizes: The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music, The Azrieli Commission for International Music, The Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music, and The Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music.
For this iteration of the prestigious competition, the focus will be on works for choir and orchestra.
The 2026 call is open from February 7 through May 2, 2025.
The Azrieli Music Prizes
The Azrieli Music Prize was originally created in 2014 by Sharon Azrieli CQ for the Azrieli Foundation. It recognizes excellence in music composition, and offers the largest prize package of its kind in Canada.
“We are looking for composers who exhibit the most creativity, artistry, proficiency and expertise to become the next cohort of AMP Laureates. Our commitment is to help advance their careers and extend the reach of their award-winning music,” says Azrieli, who is the Chair of the Azrieli Music, Arts and Culture Centre and a Board Member of the Azrieli Foundation.
“Our prize program gives Laureates the gift of time and support to compose the best new pieces possible. Then, we offer them maximum career-building exposure by presenting their prize-winning works in key music markets, supplemented by a professional recording and an extensive promotional campaign.”
The Details
The competition is open to the international music community, and nominations can be submitted for works from individuals and institutions of all ages, genders, nationalities, faiths and backgrounds.
Each of the four AMP Laureates will receive a prize package valued at over $200,000 CAD. That includes:
- A cash prize of $50,000 CAD;
- The live premiere of their prize-winning work in Montréal, livestreamed globally;
- After its premiere, at least two additional international performances;
- A commercial recording release.
An important component, the AMP Performance Fund, a separate vehicle with the goal of making sure the new works aren’t quickly forgotten, supports ensembles as they prepare and present performances of AMP-winning works for the public after the competition.
The Prizes
- The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music: Canadian composers are invited to propose new musical works that embrace the complexities of composing in Canada today.
- The Azrieli Commission for International Music: composers worldwide are invited to propose a work that creatively plays with the cultures that connect to their own background.
- The Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music: composers are invited to work with the question, “What is Jewish music?”
- The Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music: this award goes to work already composed, but best described as “the best new undiscovered work that engages with the question, ‘What is Jewish music?’” The works may be nominated by the composer themselves, or by other individuals or institutions, and may have premiered within 75 years of the award date, but without an extensive performance history or commercial recording.
The Juries
Three juries evaluate the open call for scores and proposals.
- The Canadian Music Jury: Barbara Assiginaak, Kelly-Marie Murphy, David Pay, Colleen Renihan and Ana Sokolović.
- The International Music Jury: Chaya Czernowin, Margareta Ferek-Petrić, Jonathan Goldman and Samy Moussa.
- The Jewish Music Jury members: Ofer Ben-Amots, Avner Dorman, Neil W. Levin, Steven Mercurio, Gisèle Ben-Dor and Na’ama Zisser.
Past prize-winners include Canadian composers Jordan Nobles (2024); Keiko Devaux (2020), Kelly-Marie Murphy (2018), and Brian Current (2016).
Submissions will be received for all four Prizes until Friday, 2 May 2025.
- More information and applications [HERE].
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