Iain Macleòid Young Composer Award

The Iain Macleòid Young Composer Award


The Iain Macleòid Young Composer Award is an annual competition named in memory of John Macleod.

Composers between 16 & 30 years of age, including non-harp players, are invited to submit an original piece of music (single movement or suite), 8-10 minutes in length, for either solo clarsach (lever harp) including wire strung harp, or clarsach and up to 3 other instruments and/or voices.

The award is £1000 plus a premiere performance at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival 5-9 April 2024.

The deadline for entries is Friday 27 October 2023.

How to Apply and Competition Rules
  1. The entrant must be aged between 16 & 30 years of age to take part. Entrants under 18 years of age must have the permission of their parent or guardian to enter the competition.
  2. The composition must be a single movement or suite, lasting no longer than 10, and no less than 8 minutes, suitable for either:
    • Solo Clarsach (Lever harp) or wire strung harp.
      or
    • Clarsach (Lever harp) or any size of wire strung harp and up to 3 other instruments and/or voices.
  3. The composition should be for the standard-sized clarsach / lever harp: 34 strings with a range from C two octaves below middle C to A three octaves above middle C.  The lever harp is most commonly tuned in E-flat major or A-flat major but can be tuned to any key. Please contact us for further guidance or advice. If writing for wire strung harp it can be of any size and may be tuned in any key.
  4. The work must be an original composition and the unaided work of the entrant. It must not have been previously performed, published or disseminated in anyway. The copyright of the music shall remain with the composer.
  5. A full score in PDF format and a recording of the composition in MP3 (or similar) format must be submitted together and must match exactly. The composer’s name must not be stated on the score or the MP3 (or similar) file.
  6. Scores and sound files should be submitted via WeTransfer or similar to office@clarsachsociety.co.uk.
  7. The composer must be available to perform their composition at the next Edinburgh International Harp Festival. In the case of a non-harpist submitting a work, it is the composer’s responsibility to find the artist(s) to perform the work at the premiere performance.
  8. The cost of the premiere performance only, including travel costs for musicians involved (limited to travel within the UK), will be met by the Edinburgh International Harp Festival.
  9. The judges’ decision will be final.
  10. The successful entrant must also be willing to write a short report on winning the award for publication in The Society’s Annual Report and on its website.

If you have any queries or special requirements, contact the National Office via email or telephone +44 (0)131 554 0212.