Financial support for music · Updated weekly
Music Competitions in the USA
9 open competitions for musicians and artists in the USA right now, from organizers like International Music Software Trade Association (IMSTA), Lake George Music Festival, Pasadena Area Opera Trust. 2 of them close within the next 30 days. Every listing is checked by a person — deadlines, award amounts and who can apply — so you spend less time searching and more time making music.
- Open now
- 9
- Closing in 30 days
- 2
- Recently closed
- 6
- Updated
- Weekly
Open competitions in the USA
IMSTA — IMSTA Song Competition New York 2026 (Regional)
Deadline: September 22, 2026
IMSTA — IMSTA Song Competition Toronto 2026 (Regional)
Deadline: October 13, 2026
Call for Scores
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Pasadena Vocal Competition (2026)
Deadline: November 13, 2026
Arizona International Music Competition (2026 cycle)
Deadline: November 16, 2026
Great American Song Contest (2026)
Deadline: November 18, 2026
IMSTA — IMSTA Online Song Competition 2026
Deadline: November 26, 2026
Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) — Young Composers Competition
Deadline: December 9, 2026
Random Access Music (RAM) — Queens New Music Festival Composition Competition (2027)
Deadline: January 15, 2027
Recently closed
Many of these run every year — check the page for when the next round is likely to open.
Angel City Chorale — Competition for Young Composers (2026 cycle)
Closed: September 1, 2026 (passed)
U.S. Naval Academy Band — Call for Scores 2026 (Charles A. Zimmermann Prize in Composition)
Closed: August 31, 2026 (passed)
IMSTA — IMSTA Song Competition Miami 2026 (Regional)
Closed: August 18, 2026 (passed)
Florence Price International Piano Competition (University of Arkansas) — 2026
Closed: August 15, 2026 (passed)
SONOR Orff Composition Contest (2026)
Closed: August 15, 2026 (passed)
Reno Pops Orchestra — Composer’s Showcase Call for Scores (2026–27 season)
Closed: August 10, 2026 (passed)
Keep exploring
New to this? How to Find Music Grants That Actually Fit Your Project walks through the whole process, and How to Apply for Music Grants: A Step-by-Step Guide is the natural next step. All of our music funding guides are free to read.
Music Competitions by country
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