The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has opened submissions for the second edition of the Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition (ADICC), inviting emerging and established composers worldwide to submit original works for prizes including a commission and world premiere at Abu Dhabi Festival 2028.
ADICC champions contemporary music and provides composers of all nationalities with a platform to showcase their talent, gain international recognition and have their work performed before global audiences. The second edition welcomes submissions in two categories: Orchestral Work, for an original composition of up to ten minutes, and Solo Instrument (piano), for an original composition of up to five minutes.
Scores must be submitted anonymously through www.admaf.org and will be reviewed by an international jury comprising renowned composers, conductors, curators and leading musicians representing institutions and artistic traditions from around the world.
The competition, in its inaugural edition in 2025, attracted more than 165 submissions from 47 countries. Daniele Gasparini won first prize in the orchestral category for En el Aire, followed by Nadim Tarabay in second place and Thomas Kornel in third. Gasparini’s winning piece will be performed at the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s Verdi 125th Anniversary Gala Concert on 29 November as part of this year’s Abu Dhabi Festival. Andrey Zubets won first prize in the piano category for Mirror Preludes, followed by Tarek Yamani in second place and Bruno Vlahek in third. Zubets will perform with Minsoo Sohn on 11 December as part of this year’s festival.
Submissions for the second edition will close on 31 December 2026, with the winners announced in May 2027. First prize includes a commission and world premiere performance at Abu Dhabi Festival 2028, alongside AED130,000, a professional recording and the publication of the winning score. Second and third-placed winners will receive mentorship opportunities, cash prizes of AED50,000 and AED25,000 respectively, and international exposure through ADMAF's global network.
The journey culminates in March 2028, when the first-place winners’ works take centre stage at the Abu Dhabi Festival. The winners will also be honoured at an awards ceremony during the festival, attended by a distinguished audience of artists, diplomats and cultural leaders from around the world.
Through its second edition, ADICC continues to advance its founding ambition: to nurture the next generation of musical visionaries and ensure that exceptional new compositions reach international audiences.
