Applications Open for the 2026 Azrieli Music Prizes

Open to composers from around the world, the four Azrieli Music Prizes are worth $200,000 CAD each, including performances and a commercial recording

Canada's Azrieli Music, Arts and Culture Centre has recently announced a call for scores and proposals for its four major Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP). These prizes are open to composers from around the world, and in 2026 AMP is seeking works for choir and orchestra with optional soloists. The application period is open until May 2, 2025.

These biennial prizes were first awarded in 2014, and are one of the most generous monetary prizes of their kind in Canada.

Each laureate will receive a package valued at $200,000 CAD in total. This includes a cash prize of $50,000 CAD, as well as a premiere of their prize-winning work in Montréal (to be livestreamed globally), at least two subsequent international performances, and a commercial recording release.

The prizes cover a range of different themes, as follows:

• The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music invites Canadian composers to propose new musical works that embrace the complexities of composing in Canada today.
• The Azrieli Commission for International Music invites composers worldwide to deeply engage in a creative interplay of cultures that have meaningful connections to their lived experience.
• The Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music invites composers to creatively and critically engage with the question, “What is Jewish music?”
• The Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music is awarded to a composer who has written the best new undiscovered work that engages with the question, "What is Jewish music?" Works may be nominated by individuals or institutions, including composer self-nomination. Eligible works may have been premiered within 75 years of the award date but must not have a significant performance history or be commercially recorded.

There are different jury members for the different categories. For Canadian Music, the jury includes Barbara Assiginaak, Kelly-Marie Murphy, David Pay, Colleen Renihan, and Ana Sokolović. For International Music, the jury consists of Chaya Czernowin, Margareta Ferek-Petrić, Jonathan Goldman, and Samy Moussa. For Jewish Music, the jury includes Ofer Ben-Amots, Avner Dorman, Neil W. Levin, Steven Mercurio, Gisèle Ben-Dor, and Na’ama Zisser.

You can find out more and apply here.

"We are looking for composers who exhibit the most creativity, artistry, proficiency and expertise to become the next cohort of AMP Laureates," said Sharon Azrieli CQ, Chair of the Azrieli Music, Arts and Culture Centre and a Board Member of the Azrieli Foundation. "Our commitment is to help advance their careers and extend the reach of their award-winning music."

"Our prize program gives Laureates the gift of time and support to compose the best new pieces possible. Then, we offer them maximum career-building exposure by presenting their prize-winning works in key music markets, supplemented by a professional recording and an extensive promotional campaign."