International Composers Competition for young composers
(announced in March 2026)
The 50th IRINO PRIZE
for Chamber-Orchestral Work, 2026
SUBMISSION CATEGORY:
Composition should be scored for between 9 and 17 instruments, comprising at most 1 flute (piccolo, alto/bass-fl), 1 oboe (cor anglais), 1 clarinet (Eb/bass/contrabass- cl, bassett horn), 1 bassoon (contra-basson), 1 horn, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone, 1 tuba, 2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello, 1 double bass, 1 saxophone (soprano/alto/tenor/baritone-sax.), 1 piano (celesta), 1 percussion (1 player) and 1 harp.
ELIGIBILITY:
Any nationality. Composers must be 40 years old or less as of June 23, 2026. The work can be either previously performed or not performed yet. Submission is limited to one composition per composer.
DURATION: less than 15 minutes
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026, 23:59(GMT+9) in Japan
ENTRY FEE: None
AWARD: 300,000 Japanese Yen
Note: The winning composition will be performed by Tokyo Sinfonietta in its subscription concert series in Tokyo. Only one work will be awarded as a result of the final judges’ decision.
SUBMISSION DETAILS:
Composers should submit the following materials through The IRINO PRIZE Online submission system, which is accessible from https://www.IrinoPrize.jp .
1) Application form: Complete the online application form.
2) Program Notes: Enter your program notes in the online application form.
3) Score: Upload your score file via the online submission system.
4) Recording of Composition: Upload your sound or movie file via the online submission system.
Note: Composers may participate without a recording of their composition.
5) Other Materials (Optional): Upload any additional materials as a single ZIP file via the online submission system.
download the 50th Irino Prize Regulation
a list of the required information for online submission pages
JURY: Satoshi TANAKA, Takayuki RAI, Mari TAKANO, Haruyuki SUZUKI, Rica NARIMOTO
GUEST JURY: Yasuaki ITAKURA (Conductor and Music Director of Tokyo Sinfonietta)
CHAIRPERSON for the 50th: Haruyuki SUZUKI
ANNOUNCEMENT: November, 2026
INQUIRY:
THE IRINO PRIZE FOUNDATION [Ms. Tomoe IRINO, president]
c/o NPO JML Yoshiro Irino Institute of Music
5-22-2 Matsubara, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-0043, Japan
URL : http://www.IrinoPrize.jp
The IRINO PRIZE was founded in 1980 in honor of the late Yoshiro Irino, one of the most respected Japanese composers of his generation. The prize is administrated by The Irino Prize Foundation which was established after his death, on June 23,1980, by Mrs. Reiko Takahashi IRINO with the collaboration of renowned composers Maki ISHII, Joji YUASA and Yori-Aki MATSUDAIRA. The IRINO PRIZE is awarded to young composers who explore new directions, and demonstrate innovative creativity. The IRINO PRIZE consists of two categories; one for Chamber-Orchestral work held in even years and the other for Chamber Music held every year.
THE IRINO PRIZE FOUNDATION