2026 Composition Prize

Discover the Call for applications for composers

André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud Composition Prize – €5,000
Offered by the Foundation André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud under the aegis of the Fondation de France. 

This year’s Chevillion Bonnaud Composition Prize has a theme. We are asking composers to take their inspiration from Diego Velazquez’s painting ‘Saint Thomas’, which is in the Musée des Beaux Arts in Orléans. A video explaining the work and an exhibition presentation file dedicated to it can be found on the competition website. 

The work should last between 6 and 8 minutes and should be composed for solo piano, without electroacoustic or video equipment.

• Composers (including pianist candidates for the Competition and composers already chosen by a  candidate) wishing to apply for this Prize must send a complete file by e-mail (info@oci-piano.fr) including:

  – three scores of their composition, at least one of which must be for piano (and recordings if possible)
  – a biography and CV in English (+ in French if mother tongue)
  – a copy of their identity document
  – a short note of intent on the work they would like to compose for the Competition

• Application fee for the candidates to the Composition Prize: 40€ — payable online, until November 26, 2025, on: https://www.helloasso.com/associations/orleans-concours-international/paiements/frais-d-inscription-prix-de-composition-registration-fee-composition-prize

• The registration deadline for composers is November 26, 2025 inclusive.

Only complete applications will be processed.

• The names of the composers selected by the Artistic Direction will be announced from December 16, 2025.

• The files of the selected composers will be made available to the candidate pianists admitted to the Competition, from December 17, 2025.

Candidate pianists will contact the composers of their choice directly and will be required to inform the Competition of the name of the composer chosen at a later date.

• Only one piece per composer is allowed: each composer may compose for only one candidate pianist.

• This call for applications is open to composers, regardless of gender or nationality. The age limit is 36 on 1 January 2026 (composers born on or after 1 January 1990).

• Each composer is entitled to apply for the André Chevillion – Yvonne Bonnaud Composition Prize a maximum of three times (i.e. in three editions of the competition).

• If the pianist presenting the composer’s piece should withdraw, the piece cannot be evaluated by the Jury.
• The name of the chosen composer must be sent to the Competition by the candidate (pianist) no later than January 12, 2026.
  The title of the piece must be sent to the Competition by the candidate (pianist) no later than February 25, 2026.
  The score in pdf format must be sent to the Competition by March 12, 2026.

Click here for full details on the Composition Prize

Like all other awards, the Composition Prize will be announced and given to the laureate at the official ceremony following the Final of the Competition, on October 31, 2026.