Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod presents Harmony Without Borders / Cytgord Heb Ffiniau
As part of our commitment to new music and supporting emerging Welsh composers, we have launched this project to give an opportunity for a paid commission of a bilingual six-minute work for choir and orchestra, which will be performed at the opening concert of the 2026 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
Who can apply?
Participation in the project is open to composers at the start of their careers, who were either born in Wales, live in Wales, or are currently studying in Wales, and are aged over 18 at the date of application.
Preference will be given to composers who are not yet established professionally, and have not yet received a major professional commission or had a full-length work performed by an established professional orchestra.
How do you apply?
Please fill out our application form online: Google Forms
Once your eligibility has been verified you will be contacted by email and asked to submit the following:
- CV
- Portfolio of works for choir and orchestra
How will the composer be selected?
The Eisteddfod’s Artistic Director will consider all applications, and create a short list of potential candidates. The portfolios of those on the short list will then be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals, and choose a composer for the project.
What’s the brief for the composition?
The commission will be for a six-minute work for SATB choir and orchestra, suitable for opening a concert. The lyrics should be in both Welsh and English, and optionally can include additional words from other languages. Opening with a stirring orchestral fanfare, the work will evolve into rich choral textures celebrating both Wales’s cultural heritage and its outward-looking, inclusive spirit.
Is there a fee for the commission?
The commissioned composer will receive a fee of £6,000, payable upon delivery of the final draft of the full score, vocal score and orchestral parts.
What if I don’t speak Welsh?
This isn’t a problem; we have an additional allowance available for a bilingual lyricist if required.
Important dates
- Friday 19 December 2025 – deadline for applications
- Friday 9 January 2026 – successful candidate notified
- Friday 6 March 2026 – first draft submitted
- Friday 31 March 2026 – final draft submitted
- Tuesday 7 July 2026 – world premiere in Llangollen
Further information
If you have any questions, please email info@llangollen.net with the subject line “Harmony without Borders”.
