Unibrass Composition competition returns for 2027 in Oxford

Unibrass announces return of composition competition

The Unibrass Foundation have announced that their successful composition competition will return in 2027. Entries are now open for young and emerging composers looking to showcase their work on one of the biggest student brass band stages.

Now entering its fourth year, the competition has become a launchpad for new writing within the brass band movement, offering aspiring composers the chance to have their music workshopped, performed, published and professionally mentored.

The 2027 competition will be closely linked to the Unibrass Championships in Oxford.

Who can enter?

The competition is open to anyone aged 18-25, current students and those who have graduated within the past two years, with eligibility measured between 1st July 2026 and the competition deadline.

Organisers say that they are keen to encourage as many young composers as possible to submit original works and continue building on three successful years of new music.

Entries are now open at unibrass.co.uk/composition-competition with the deadline being at 23:59pm on 6th December 2026.

Experienced judging panel returns

Award-winning composer, Dr Liz Lane returns for a fourth consecutive year as lead judge.

Alongside her work as a part-time Senior Lecturer at UWE Bristol, Liz is also an Associate Lecturer with the Open University and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Her current commissions include, Precious Stones, a large-scale work for brass and percussion that is due to be premiered at Bristol Beacon in April 2027.

Speaking about her return, Liz said that she has enjoyed watching the competition develop over the past three years, keeping in touch with previous winners and is looking forward to hearing the next generation of brass band compositions.

She is joined by two shadow judges: 2026 compeition winner, Charlie Whelan, whose winning work, All Magic Comes at a Price, impressed last year's panel and Esme Harper, winner of the Best Student Arrangement award at the 2026 Unibrass Championships for her arrangement of London Calling.

Ahead of the competition, Liz offered her advice to prospective entrants, encouraging composers to:

"Be authentic to your compositional voice and embrace the diverse capabilities and opportunities of top section bands."

A Prize package designed to launch careers

As well as national recognition, the winning composer will benefit from a range of professional opportunities.

Wright and Round Music Publishers will, once again, publish the winning work, providing an invaluable opportunity for an emerging composer to see their music enter the brass band repertoire.

Lydbrook Band returns to offer a workshop of the winning piece before publication, building on last year's successful collaboration under the musical direction of Mattt Rowe and with mentoring from Liz Lane.

Meanwhile, Flowers Band will again programme the winning work in concert, continuing its support of the compeition after premiering Lucy Green's Fading Signals which took the prize in 2025 and Charlie Whelan's All Magic Comes at a Price earlier this year.

Throughout the process, the winning composer will receive one-to-one mentoring from Liz Lane.

Entries now open

With publication, professional performances, workshops and mentoring all on offer, the UniBrass Composition Competition continues to provide one of the most exciting development opportunities for young brass band composers.

With further prize announcements expected soon. Prospective entrants and supporters are encouraged to follow UniBrass on their social media channels for the latest updates.