CALL for Scores to be Commissioned by Riot Ensemble & The Night With... 16.08.26

Next February, as part of Riot Ensemble's appearance at The Night With… festival in Glasgow, we are collaborating with them on a yearly Call for Scores to commission two new works (5-10' each).

Each chosen composer will receive a £2,000 commission fee, recording, and premiere of their new work at The Engine Works, Glasgow in February 2027.

Eligibility

Any composer not currently represented in our or Riot Ensemble's 2026-27 Season is eligible to apply.

What to Submit

Using the form here, please submit:

• Your name and country of residence

• E-mail address

• Your pronouns (optional)

• PDF files of two scores - these pieces may be for any instrumentation and written at any point in your life/career. We simply want to hear your best work

• Links to recordings of these pieces (optional)

  
  

  We understand that this isn’t always possible. Recordings are not mandatory. Of course, they are helpful, but our musicians are fluent score readers and we have commissioned composers in the past who have not submitted a recording.

Deadline

All entries - including entrance fee - must be received by 23:59 BST on Sunday 16th August 2026.

Please note: The number of entries will be capped at 300. 

Process

Entries are first judged against eligibility. Then, every eligible application is reviewed by at least two members of Riot's Artistic Board. Together, the board creates a shortlist and eventually chooses two composers for the commissions together with festival director Matthew Whiteside. The winning composers will be announced no later than 22nd September 2026 and the final pieces will be due on 22nd January 2027.

We will award at least one of the commissions to a Scottish or Scotland-based composer.

All submissions will be assessed primarily on their artistic quality and the strength of the musical work. Alongside this, we particularly welcome applications from composers who are Black, Asian or from other ethnically underrepresented backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities, as we seek to increase the representation of these groups in our work.

Full information here: www.riotensemble.com/cfs-2026