DMEW Call-for-Score 3.0 - Harmony of Percussion

DMEW Week 2026 Series

Call for Scores 3.0 – “Harmony of Percussion”

Deadline: June 30, 2026

DMEW is now officially launching its third Call for Scores, providing composers with more opportunities to present their works. This call focuses on new music solo works for percussion, particularly including Chinese percussion instruments. A total of three works will be selected and performed in Beijing at the end of September 2026. Detailed information is provided below.

Performer and Instrumentation

One percussionist;

The following percussion instruments may be freely combined, but at least one must be a Chinese percussion instrument.

Normal percussion: Marimba, Vibraphone, glockenspiel, bass drum, tamtam, thunder sheet, woodboxes(5), etc.

Chinese percussion: Jing gong (Chinese Opera Gong, Small, Big), Tiger gong (Huluo), Yun Gong (Yunluo), chosed or set), Ten-face Gong (Shimian gong), Chinese big drum (Dagu), Chinese tomtom drum (Paigu), etc.

If instruments or objects beyond the listed options are used, please contact our email in advance. In principle, such items must be provided by the composer.

Rules

1. This call is open to applicants of all nationalities, ages, and professional backgrounds.

2. Submitted works should be experimental and avant-garde, excluding genres such as popular music. However, works must not cause harm to the instrument or performer.

3.Works including electronic elements, pre-recorded audio, live electronics, or tape are acceptable. Selected composers are responsible for providing and operating their own electronic equipment during performance. For works involving electronics, audio files, project files, and technical descriptions must be submitted.

4. The duration of the work should be between 6–12 minutes, and the exact duration must be clearly indicated in the score.

5. Scores must be submitted as professionally engraved PDFs.

6. Audio is recommended, including but not limited to MIDI.

7. Works must be original compositions by the applicant and created no earlier than June 30, 2021. Collaborations of up to two composers are allowed.

8. Each applicant may submit up to two works.

9. No identifying information (such as name or identity) may appear in the score or audio.

10. Selected composers must provide parts and all required materials before rehearsals and performance. Failure to do so will be considered a withdrawal.

Submitted works must be unpublished, unperformed, and not publicly released. The composer must fully own the copyright and ensure no infringement of third-party rights. The organizer retains the performance rights for selected works and may use them for promotion and festival-related activities. All applicants are deemed to have agreed to these terms.
The organizer reserves the right of final interpretation. Applicants not meeting the requirements may be disqualified or have awards revoked. For any questions, please contact us via email.

Deadline and Selection

The selection will primarily be based on score review, with audio as reference.

The submission deadline is June 30, 2026, 12:00 noon (China Standard Time, UTC+8).

Results will be announced within one week after the deadline via official platforms.

Application Materials

1. Applicants must submit one score. If the work includes electronic elements, all related materials must also be provided. The score must be in PDF format, and the file name should follow: “Applicant Name + Title”.

2. Applicants must submit a CV in both Chinese and English, in PDF and Word formats. The CV should include age, email, phone number, and other relevant information.

3. One work description in both Chinese and English (Word format).

4. One artistic portrait of the applicant.

All materials will be archived and not returned; personal data will be used only for evaluation.
 

Please send all materials to: dmeworkshop815@gmail.com

Inquiry email: dmeworkshop815@gmail.com

                    hanqiao5886@outlook.com (alternative)

Awards and Recognition

1. Selected works will be anonymously reviewed by composers and guest musicians.

2. The three selected works will first participate in an online composition workshop. Afterward, composers will rehearse with percussionist Ziyan Zhou. The works will be performed at the DMEW Week 2026 festival. Composers will receive recordings of the performance.

3. Selected composers will be invited to rehearsals and festival activities, and receive certificates and souvenirs.Other selected composers will also be invited. Travel and accommodation are self-funded.

4. Non-selected works may be considered for future programming. The organizer will contact composers if needed. If your work is not selected, we encourage you to apply again next year.