Applications are now open for the 2025 edition of the Black Pencil Prize for composition.

The Black Pencil Prize will be awarded to a new composition written for the instrumentation of the

Black Pencil ensemble: recorder, panflute, viola, accordion, percussion (all five of the ensemble's instruments). The piece can also include harpsichord, organ, (live) electronics, video and/or theatrical elements.

Age limit: none

Application fee: none

Nationality requirements: none

Duration: min. 4 and max. 8 minutes​​

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​Please understand the prize receives many applications: send your submission and information about the composition(s) as clearly as possible.

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Black Pencil is the ensemble in residence during the festival. It means that you can count on the

expertise of the virtuoso members of Black Pencil for writing new compositions, making use of the instrumentation of the ensemble.

Jorge Isaac – Recorder (blockflute), Artistic Director

Matthijs Koene – Panflute

Esra Pehlivanli – Viola

Marko Kassl – Accordion

Enric Monfort – Percussion

For detailed information about each one of the instruments and how to write for Black Pencil, please visit blackpencil.org/forcomposers.​

Prizes 

• financial prize of 3.000€
• A professional studio recording of the winning composition
• Performance of the piece during a selection of concerts of Black Pencil
• Additional prizes will be considered

​​Jury
All members of Ensemble Black Pencil

Roderik de Man 

​The jury will choose 3 to 5 works to be performed during the festival Prix Annelie de Man 2025, from which the winning composition will be selected. We reserve the right to make necessary planning and programme order during the concert.

​​Application

​The deadline for this applications is: 1 September 2025, 09:00 CET

A complete application contains:

• Most recent biography of max. 200 words (in English)
• A recent photo of the composer in high resolution
• A program note: a description of the composition, max. 200 words (in English).
• If applicable: a brief description of any special features, such as preparation of instruments, electronics, visuals, props, complex staging, etc.,
• The score and parts of the piece, together with the necessary performance instructions in PDF. Please use your real name: a pseudonym is not needed.
• A link to a downloadable MIDI audio file (in mp3 format) for reference - the link should be direct with granted access for download