BARLOW celebrates 25th annual competition
New Trombone Concerto to be Commissioned
The winning composer will recieve a $20,000 commission from the Barlow Endowment to compose a major new trombone concerto. The winning composer's work will be premiered in 2011 by Joseph Alessi (special guest soloist and principle trombonist with the New York Philharmonic) and Brigham Young University's Philharmonic Orchestra, Kory Katseanes, director.

The 15-20 minute work is expected to meet the highest artistic requirements for the medium. Additional specifications for the work will be negotiated among the Barlow Endowment, the composer, and the performers. Half of the commission fee will be paid when the contract for the commission is signed, and the other half will be paid when the finished score is submitted to the endowment.

All Barlow Endowment applications must be RECEIVED no later than June 1, 2009. This deadline is absolute -- the Endowment is not obligated to respond to composer requests for any exception and will not consider applications received after that date. We encourage contestants outside the United States to mail their materials early to avoid problems.

Click here for more information on this year's competition.

2008 Winner Announced
After reviewing 336 composer applications from 27 countries worldwide, the judging panel awarded Harold Meltzer of New York City, the $12,000 Barlow Prize to compose a major new work for string quartet.  The judging panel also granted Kelly-Marie Murphy of Ottawa the distinction of Honorable Mention in this competition. 

Dr. Meltzer completed undergraduate work at Amherst College and received graduate degrees (including a Juris Doctorate from Columbia) from King’s College and Yale University. 

He co-founded the new music/theater ensemble Sequitur and has been artistic director since 2004.  He currently holds a teaching position at Vassar College. 

His extensive list of awards, residencies and fellowships includes the MacDowell Colony, Rockefeller Foundation, Guggenheim, Charles Ives Fellowship, and Samuel Barber Prize at the American Academy in Rome.

barlow in the news

Barlow Prize Winner named finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in Music

Barlow Prize Winner Harold Meltzer was announced as a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in Music for his piece Brion, which was commissioned by the Barlow Endowment and premiered on April 23, 2008 at Merkin Hall in New York City.

"[Brion] is a sonic portrait of a cemetery in northern Italy painted with the touch of a watercolorist and marked by an episodic structure and vivid playfulness that offer a graceful, sensual and contemplative experience," reads The Pulitzer Prizes Website.

Musical America names Christopher Rouse 2009 Composer of the Year

Christopher Rouse was named the Composer of the Year, according to the March 2009 edition of Musical America.

According to Musical America, "Few composers have written as skillfully for orchestra as Christopher Rouse. His self-described 'off-the-wall inventiveness' has thrilled audiences worldwide."

Rouse was the recipient of a 2008 Barlow General Commission.

Past Barlow Commission Recipient receives 2009 Aaron Copland Award

Geoffrey Gordon was announced as one of nine composers to receive a 2009 Aaron Copland Award.  This award includes an all expense paid term as composer-in-residence at the historic Copland home during the 2009 season.