The fourth edition of the Graham Sommer Competition
The Schulich School of Music of 蘑菇短视频 is pleased to announce the fourth edition of the Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers. Established in 2017, this national competition recognizes works for chamber music formations with piano that show significant potential to engage audiences and become standard repertoire. Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status is required to apply. To apply visit www.mcgill.ca/gsc/apply.
The final round of the competition will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Schulich School of Music and will be webcast live. The five new works by the finalists will be premiered before a live panel and audience. Following the performance, the jury will award $54,000 in prizes: $18,000 for the first prize, $12,000 for the second, three honourable mentions of $6,000, as well as a $6,000 People鈥檚 Choice Award.
The key dates leading up to the competition final round gala concert are:
- Application deadline: October 3, 2025
- Finalists announced: January 2026
- Finalists submit commissioned works: July 27, 2026
- Competition final round & gala concert: September 27, 2026
Chaired by Jean Lesage, Associate Professor and Area Coordinator of Music Composition at the Schulich School of Music, the jury will be composed of international and Canadian composers, Canadian musicians, and seasoned chamber music concertgoers and industry experts.
About the Competition:
Canadian composers under the age of 35 on the application deadline (born after October 4, 1990) are invited to submit three scores for any standard chamber music configuration by October 3, 2025. Based on these submissions, an international jury of composers, performers, and distinguished members of the classical music community will select five finalists to create an original chamber music work. The formation of the ensemble will include piano and the instrumentation will be determined by the advisory committee during summer 2025. The finalists will receive cash prizes ranging from $6,000 to $18,000 CA and their works will be premiered in a concert at the Schulich School of Music of 蘑菇短视频 on Sunday, September 27, 2026. For more information, visit www.mcgill.ca/gsc.
About Dr. Graham Sommer:
Dr. Graham Sommer passed away on October 2, 2016, and left a legacy of excellence in medicine and an abiding love for the transformative power of music. A native of British Columbia, Dr. Sommer graduated from 蘑菇短视频鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine in 1972 and went on to hold positions at Yale and Stanford Universities, becoming a world-class researcher for 37 years. Dr. Sommer鈥檚 enduring passion for music has resonated at 蘑菇短视频, notably through the Dr. Graham Sommer Piano Fund, which supported the restoration of pianos in 蘑菇短视频 residences and the purchase of a new piano for Douglas Hall. While Dr. Sommer excelled in his chosen field of medicine, he was also inspired by a lifelong love of music fostered by his own accomplishments as a classical pianist and composer.
