Summermusik is accepting applications for the third annual Kreitler Commission Competition, continuing its effort to support early-career composers through a multi-orchestra commissioning opportunity.
The competition welcomes composers of any age or nationality. A jury will evaluate entries through a blind review of two submitted work samples. The goal, organizers said, is to ensure judges focus solely on the strength of the music.
The winning composer will receive a $10,000 grand prize and a travel stipend and will have their new work performed by four professional chamber orchestras during the 2027-28 season.
The world premiere will take place at the 2027 Summermusik Festival in Cincinnati, followed by performances with partner ensembles including the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle in North Carolina, the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh and the Reno Chamber Orchestra.
“The Kreitler Commission Competition has quickly become a top international competition for aspiring composers. We are thrilled to be bringing the competition back for a third year,” said Evan Gidley, executive director of Summermusik, parent organization of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.
A growing regional contest
Summermusik created the Kreitler Competition as part of its broader goal of making orchestral music more accessible while encouraging new and distinctive works.
The name honors the legacy of the late John Henry Kreitler, a 10-time Emmy Award–winning composer, former Summermusik board member and longtime supporter of the local musical arts scene. Gidley previously described Kreitler as expressing a deep commitment to expanding opportunities for composers, a mission reflected in the competition that now bears his name.
Kreitler, who helped conceive and launch the competition, died in January 2024, just ahead of the selection of the inaugural winner. That first contest drew 237 applications from composers representing 18 countries, with composer Matt Browne selected as the first winner. He conducted his 17-minute work, “I Have Seen the Future,” at Summermusik 2025 with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.
The following year saw continued growth, with more than 290 applicants from 26 countries – a 22% increase. Canadian composer Simon Rivet won the 2025 grand prize, with Geoffrey Gordon and Mary Kouyoumdjian named first and second runners-up.
After his win, Rivet said, “It’s a privilege to have the support of organizations so committed to living composers, and I look forward to creating a piece that resonates with these remarkable orchestras and their communities.”
Applications for the 2026 competition are due Monday, March 30. The selected composer will have one year to complete the commissioned work.
Kreitler Commission Competition
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