5th Da_sh editions International Composition Competition 2025/2026

Da_sh editions / recordings is promoting a new edition of our international composition competition in 2025/2026. This new edition is open to works for violoncello solo or violoncello and electronics (multimedia). The aim of the competition is to discover new works and talented composers in order to promote their pieces through the realization of a new printed edition together with a new professional recording for an upcoming album.

The Italian multi-prized cellist Elide Sulsenti will be in charge of recording the winning work and as well as making part of the jury, together with composers and staff from Da_sh editions.

Eligibility

- Composers of any nationality are welcome to participate.

- Composers must be 18 or over at the time of application.

- Previous prize winners and composers who already have works printed by Da_sh editions are NOT eligible.

Rules

- Compositions in any style, duration and year of composition are allowed.

- Pieces for violoncello solo or violoncello and electronics (multimedia).

- The use of electronics is allowed (fixed or live electronics; 2 channels only). The electronics part must be sent together with the application. Other multimedia parts are also allowed.

- Compositions that won a previous prize, were performed publicly or non-professionally recorded are allowed.

- Compositions already published or with a professional recording (CD or Digital Album) are NOT allowed.

- Submitted scores can be handwritten, but must be perfectly readable. Unreadable scores will be unconsidered.

Prizes

- The winner composition will receive:

- 1000 € in cash prize.

- Edition of the piece by Da_sh editions (optional).

- Recording of the piece by Da_sh recordings in 2026 with Elide Sulsenti to be included in a new Digital Album distributed in Spotify, iTunes and Amazon among others.

- Additional prizes might be granted according to jury decisions.

- The jury decisions are final and irrevocable.

- By signing the application form, all prize winners give their permission to record their prized piece, as well as its interpretation in public concert without any further compensation. She/he will nevertheless maintain their copyright of the work.

Submission

- Score in PDF format (Anonymous, with the name of the piece only).

- Application form filled in and hand-signed (Download the application from our webpage).

- A mp3 recording of the piece if any (NOT mandatory). MIDI realizations are accepted. 

- A short commentary of the piece (PDF format).

- Electronics part (patch / code / fixed media) if any.

- A copy of a valid ID or Passport (PDF format).

- Payment of the entry fee. Every composer is free to send as many pieces as wished. The first entrance has a fee of 35€.
 Additional entries have a fee of 15€ (Please, send one application for each entry).

- The entry fee can be payed through PayPal. It is also possible to pay the fee using credit cards in the same page, in the case  you  do not have a PayPal account. Connect to the PayPal payment page by clicking the button in our webpage. If you don't have access to PayPal in your country, please send us an email (info@dash-music.eu).

- All this requested items must be sent in a downloadable link (WeTransfer, Google Drive, etc) to our email: info@dash-music.eu with subject: Composition competition 2025/2026 in order to fulfill the application. Please, don't send the files directly to our email.

- The Deadline is January 15th, 2026 (23:59 Madrid time). All applications must be sent before this deadline and the according fees payed.

- Results will be announced by February 1st, 2026 by mail to each participant and at this same webpage.

- Any questions regarding the competition must be sent to: info@dash-music.eu