Gunther Schuller Centennial
Third Stream Composition Contest

Gunther Schuller (1925-2015) was a creative and progressive force in 20th & 21st century music, breaking down barriers between musical genres.  He created the musical concept of a “Third Stream” music, where streams of music from various cultural reservoirs would come together in unique compositions.

 

2025 is the centennial of Schuller’s birth, and The Gunther Schuller Society is sponsoring the Gunther Schuller Centennial Third Stream Composition Contest.  The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize of $1200 (USD).  The ownership of the piece will reside with the composer.  The piece will be premiered at the New England Conservatory on the Schuller Centennial Celebration, autumn 2025.

 

The composer must be between and ages of 18 and 35.

 

The piece must be:

• For soloist or any sized ensemble

• Of any length over five minutes

• Attendance at rehearsals and performance is not required but would be welcomed. There are no travel funds available.

• Works will be considered that 

  • are unpublished or self-published

  • have not received more than two public performances; and 

  • have not been the previous recipient of any prize open to the public. 

• Written in the last five years.

• The work must embrace Schuller’s Third Stream ideology and incorporate qualities from at least two music cultures or lineages, including but not limited to: compositional elements (rhythm, harmony, etc.), aesthetics, instrumentation. Possible sources of material include, but are not limited to:

  • Western Classical music (any sub- genre or style)

  • Jazz  (any sub-genre or style) 

  • Western new/experimental music 

  • Rock, Blues, Pop

  • Traditional music from around the globe

 

Please submit the following to GSthirdstreamcompcontest@gmail.com:

• PDF of the score (<25MB)

• A brief description of the music including any inspirations, and/or programmatic content.

• Links to audio files (midi or other) are not required but strongly suggested as is any comment on how the piece may fit into Schuller’s Third Stream Legacy.

 

The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2025.  The composer of the winning composition will provide performance parts by August 1, 2025. 

 

Questions?

Contact charles.peltz@necmusic.edu

Gunther Schuller Society