The Hopkins Center for the Arts has announced a new competition to inspire, support and provide a platform for new works of band music by Mexican composers.
The competition expands the Mexican Repertoire Initiative at Dartmouth and is created in honor and collaboration with the pioneering composer Arturo Márquez and in partnership with the Symphonic Band of the Faculty of Music at UNAM and with support from the Yale University Wind Ensemble.
Background & Vision
The Mexican Repertoire Initiative is a Hopkins Center initiative to create, support and expand the reach of new repertoire by Mexican composers through international partnership and educational exchange. Founded in 2022 by Dartmouth Director of Bands Brian Messier, the initiative is led by the Hopkins Center in partnership with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). The initiative has commissioned over 20 new works and grown to include a network of over 90 US and Mexican institutions.
This inaugural Arturo Márquez Symphonic Band Composition Competition is aimed at encouraging and creating new works for Wind Ensemble by Mexican composers. The goal is to identify two works that will be premiered by participating ensembles during the 2027-2028 season. Additional consideration will be given to works that are not overly virtuosic in nature. While the involved ensembles are exceptional, the goal is to expand the repertoire of accessible and authentic Mexican music.
Awards
Winners of the Arturo Márquez Symphonic Band Composition Competition will receive a monetary award, as well as performance opportunities and paid travel.
Grand Prize (two composers)
- Monetary award of $2,500 USD*
- World premiere performance by either the Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble or the Yale University Wind Ensemble
- Round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and meals provided for the composer to attend the world premiere performance at Yale or Dartmouth
- Mexican premiere performance by the UNAM Banda Sinfónica or Wind Ensemble
Timeline & Deadlines
Feb 1, 2027 | Submission Deadline
Deadline for submitting scores, midi renderings and proof of residency
July 1, 2027 | Selection Announcement
Composers will be contacted with the results of the competition via email
Aug 1, 2027 | Final Compositions Due
Composers of works selected for performance must then submit clean parts in digital PDF or they forfeit any prize and performance rights
Mentorship & Guidance
As part of the broader mission of the Mexican Repertoire Initiative, optional online informational and mentorship sessions will be offered to support participating composers throughout the composition process.
These sessions, led by Brian Messier and composer Nubia Jaime Donjuan, will include discussion and guidance related to:
- Wind ensemble instrumentation
- Instrumental ranges
- Orchestration and color
- Ensemble balance
- Percussion logistics
- Difficulty and performance practicality
- Rehearsal and performance considerations
A Zoom session will be offered and a recording will be posted after.
September 5, 2026, 1–2 pm ET / 10–11 pm Pacific
Competition Leadership
The competition is presented in partnership with internationally renowned composer Arturo Márquez and is jointly supported by:
- The Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth
- The Mexican Repertoire Initiative
- The Yale University Bands
- The Facultad de Música of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
Arturo Márquez will participate in the finalist review stage and contribute artistic feedback as part of the final selection process.
Rules and Regulations
- Composer must be a Mexican citizen with proof of citizenship.
- Submitted works must not have premiered.
- Participating ensembles will have world-premiere rights for all submitted works through the conclusion of the competition. Premiere rights for any non-awarded works will be released back to the composer.
- The work must be no longer than six minutes in length. There is no minimum length requirement.
- Composer names and identifying information will be redacted prior to sharing with the evaluation panel.
- Determinations of the evaluation panel are final.
*The monetary award is subject to all applicable federal, state, local and international taxes, as well as any required tax withholding. The Awardee is solely responsible for any tax obligations associated with acceptance of the award.
Receipt of the award is contingent upon the Awardee completing all required registration and documentation with Dartmouth College's designated third-party payment vendor and, if applicable, the non-resident alien tax compliance system. Failure to complete these requirements may result in forfeiture or delay of the award.
As a condition of receiving the award, the selected Awardee must enter into and execute an agreement with Dartmouth College. The agreement will incorporate Dartmouth College's Terms and Conditions, available HERE. Failure to execute the agreement may result in forfeiture of the award.
Submission Guidelines
All entries must be made through the submission form. For questions about the competition, please email Brian Messier, Dartmouth Director of Bands: brian.e.messier@dartmouth.edu.
Composers must submit the following by the application deadline:
- A digitally rendered, transposed full score (use of notation software is required).
- A midi rendering of the selection.
The work must adhere to the following instrumentation:
- Piccolo: 1
- Flute: 1, 2
- Oboe: 1, 2
- Bassoon: 1, 2
- Eb Clarinet: 1 (optional)
- Bb Clarinet: 1, 2, 3
- Bass Clarinet: 1
- Soprano Saxophone: (1 - see Alto Saxophone)
- Alto Saxophone: 1 if using soprano sax, 2 if not using soprano sax.
- Tenor Saxophone: 1
- Baritone Saxophone: 1
- Bb Trumpet: 1, 2, 3
- Horn in F: 1, 2, 3, 4
- Tenor Trombone: 1, 2, (3 - see bass Trombone)
- Bass Trombone: 1 if using 2 tenor trombones, none if using 3 tenor trombones.
- Euphonium (Bass Clef, key of C): 1
- Tuba: 1
- Double Bass: 1
- Piano: 1 (optional - solos must be cross-cued)
- Harp: 1 (optional - solos must be cross-cued)
- Timpani: (1 - see Percussion)
- Percussion: Maximum of 6 players, including timpani if used
- Percussion parts may include more than one instrument, but each part must be logistically and musically playable by one player.
- All standard battery, mallet, and auxiliary percussion instruments are acceptable.
Composers are encouraged to demonstrate practical understanding of:
- Instrumental ranges
- Ensemble balance
- Wind ensemble orchestration
- Percussion logistics
- Rehearsal and performance feasibility