The 2026 Lawson-May Award for Composition

‘This prestigious award of £3500, generously sponsored by Neil Lawson-May is now in its 6th year and has already attracted over a thousand entries from all over the world.

There is also a special £500 Solent Music Festival Prize. The award is open to composers of all ages and nationalities.

Main points:

• A 10-20 min work for narrator and at least two of the following instruments: piano, violin, cello, clarinet
• £10 application fee
• Please submit under own name
• Text (original or existing) must be in English and only spoken, not sung.
• Results announcement: 15 April 2026
• Works must not have been previously performed in public or recorded for public distribution

The world premiere of main award winner’s work will be given at the 2026 Solent Music Festival (25-31 May).