2025 Competition
Applications are now open for the 2025 edition of the Prix Annelie de Man competition!
You can apply as a harpsichord performer or a composer (for composition and Black Pencil Prize categories).
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Deadline to apply is 1st September 2025 (09:00 CET) for all categories.
Composers
​We are looking for compositions, in which the harpsichord plays the principal role.
Age limit: none
Application fee: none
Nationality requirement: none
Duration: max. 10 minutes​
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​Please understand the Prix receives many applications: send your submission and information about the composition(s) as clearly as possible.
Setting
Harpsichord in chamber music settings is the preferred instrumentation, however, solo harpsichord pieces will also be considered.
The harpsichord may be combined with other instruments, electronics, video and/or theatrical elements. We encourage the combination of harpsichord with the instruments available at the Orgelpark. If selected, the Annelie de Man Foundation will guarantee a live performance with an ensemble not exceeding 6 musicians (harpsichordist included).
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Prizes
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1st prize: financial prize; to be announced
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2nd prize: financial prize; to be announced
All selected finalists receive a video recording of the performance of the composition during the 2025 festival.
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Jury
Roderik de Man, Kate Moore, Aart Strootman
The jury will choose the winning work(s) after listening to the live performance concert during the Prix Annelie de Man festival, in November 2025 at Orgelpark Amsterdam. We reserve the right to make necessary planning and programme changes order during the concerts.
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Application
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The deadline for this applications is: 1 September 2025, 09:00 CET
A complete application contains:
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Most recent biography of max. 200 words (in English)
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A recent photo of the composer, in high resolution
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A program note: a description of the composition, in max. 200 words (in English). If the piece has been performed and/or recorded, include details of when, where and by whom was it performed, and if there’s an existing recording on a CD or digital release.
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If applicable: a brief description of any special features, such as preparation of instruments, electronics, visuals, props, complex staging, etc.
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The score (and parts, if applicable) of the piece, together with the necessary performance instructions in PDF. Please use your real name: a pseudonym is not needed.
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If available, a recording, as a link to a public or an unlisted YouTube/Vimeo/etc. video of a (live) performance.​
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Black Pencil Prize
The Black Pencil Prize will be awarded to a new composition written for the instrumentation of the Black Pencil ensemble: recorder, panflute, viola, accordion, percussion (all five of the ensemble's instruments). The piece can also include harpsichord, organ, (live) electronics, video and/or theatrical elements.
Age limit: none
Application fee: none
Nationality requirements: none
Duration: min. 4 and max. 8 minutes​​
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​Please understand the Prix receives many applications: send your submission and information about the composition(s) as clearly as possible.
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Black Pencil is the ensemble in residence during the festival. It means that you can count on the expertise of the virtuoso members of Black Pencil for writing new compositions, making use of the instrumentation of the ensemble.
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Jorge Isaac – Recorder (blockflute), Artistic Director
Matthijs Koene – Panflute
Esra Pehlivanli – Viola
Marko Kassl – Accordion
Enric Monfort – Percussion
For detailed information about each one of the instruments and how to write for Black Pencil, please visit blackpencil.org/forcomposers.
Prizes
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financial prize; to be announced
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A professional studio recording of the winning composition
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Performance of the piece during a selection of concerts of Black Pencil
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Additional prizes will be considered
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Jury
ALL members of Ensemble Black Pencil
Roderik de Man
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The jury will choose 3 to 5 works to be performed during the festival Prix Annelie de Man 2025, from which the winning composition will be selected. We reserve the right to make necessary planning and programme order during the concert.
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Application
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The deadline for this applications is: 1 September 2025, 09:00 CET
A complete application contains:
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Most recent biography of max. 200 words (in English)
A recent photo of the composer in high resolution
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A program note: a description of the composition, max. 200 words (in English).
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If applicable: a brief description of any special features, such as preparation of instruments, electronics, visuals, props, complex staging, etc.,
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The score and parts of the piece, together with the necessary performance instructions in PDF. Please use your real name: a pseudonym is not needed.
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A link to a downloadable MIDI audio file (in mp3 format) for reference - the link should be direct with granted access for download​
Elena Khurgina, winner of Prix Annelie de Man 2023, performs the compulsory composition, One Harpsichord by Martijn Padding, comissioned by Prix Annelie de Man.
Harpsichordists
​Age limit: Harpsichordists' competition is open to players born on or after 01 September 1990.
Application fee: none
Nationality requirements: none
Winners of previous competitions of the Prix Annelie de Man are allowed to participate.
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Prizes
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1st prize: financial prize; to be announced
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2nd prize: financial prize; to be announced
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Jury
Menno van Delft, Jane Chapman, Elena Khurgina
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The competition for harpsichordists has three rounds.
Preliminary Round
Submit a link to a short video of 5-7 minutes with 1-2 solo works chosen by the candidate, composed after 1960.
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Based on the preliminary round videos the jury will select the candidates for the second round.
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The deadline for this applications is: 1 September 2025, 09:00 CET
Complete Preliminary application includes:
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A copy of a valid passport/ID in PDF
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Most recent biography of max. 200 words (in English) in PDF
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A recent photo in high resolution
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A video recording of your preliminary round program; only a link to an unlisted YouTube/Vimeo video will be accepted. In the title of your video please mention clearly: composer name, composition title, year of composition and the performer's (your) name.
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Your chosen programme for the second and final rounds. Mention clearly: composer name, composition title, year of composition, instrumentation, exact length, and the use of electronics of each composition.
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a PDF digital copy of all of the scores included in your chosen programme.
Second and Final rounds
The second and final rounds will take place during the Prix Annelie de Man at the Orgelpark in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Second round: Thursday, 20th November
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Final round: Saturday, 22nd November
The candidates are requested to compile a programme with a minimum duration of 20 minutes to a maximum of 30 minutes of stage time.
The jury will choose 10 to 15 minutes of music from his/her programme to be performed in the second round.
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If selected to perform in the final, the Jury will pick a programme of 20-30 minutes for the candidate.
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The winner will be announced in the final concert, on Sunday 23rd November, and they are required to perform at least one of the compositions of their programme during that same concert.
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All second and final round finalists will receive a free festival pass for all activities and concerts during the Prix, and are expected to attend and participate in all masterclasses and workshops of the Prix.
All selected finalists receive a video recording of their performance at the competition.
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Travel assistance, accommodation and food is not provided by the festival, and should be arranged by the competitors themselves.
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Repertoire second and final rounds
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all works should be composed after 1960
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at least one composition written in or after 2010
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at least one composition by a Dutch composer
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Compulsory composition is a new work by Roderik de Man for harpsichord and sound track. The candidates will be shortly able to purchase it through the publisher Donemus. The length of this composition (cca 7 minutes) should be included in the total length of the programme.
The works played in the preliminary rounds can be presented again in the second or final round.
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The use of electronic/theatrical elements is allowed.
Electronics
We can provide:
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2 speakers
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1 microphone for amplification and reverb and options for playback (1 sound file only).
The sound engineer can trigger the sound file at the beginning of the performance of where indicated in a score, which you have clearly annotated. You must send your sound file together with your application. If you're using a sound file, there is no need to bring any additional equipment with you for the performance.
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If you want to do live processing in Max, Ableton, Logic, etc., then we strongly recommend that you provide your own laptop, own audio interface, MIDI controllers etc. and send a maximum of one stereo out (2 jack or XLR outs) back to the sound engineer. The sound engineer can mix your sound and provide microphones for the harpsichord. You can either operate the computer yourself on stage or bring somebody with you who is able to run the live processing.
If you would like to do live processing but are unable to provide your own laptop and equipment during the competition, please contact the production team.
Please be aware there is a maximum sound check time of 20 minutes available before the competition starts to set-up this equipment.
Questions?
Frequently asked questions:
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Can I submit more than one composition applications?
Yes, that is possible, in both Composition and Black Pencil Prize categories.
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Will Prix Annelie de Man cover any of my travel and stay costs during the festival/competition?
Unfortunately, we are not able to assist you with covering the cost and practicalities of travel and accommodation. We can, however, assist you by suggesting most affordable options in Amsterdam, and provide all necessary documentation as a confirmation of your participation, once you were selected, for purposes of funding applications or travel assistance requests from external sources and foundations.
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Who will perform my piece, if selected?
We take great care of selecting inspiring artists with years of experience in contemporary music and recognised performers who take great responsibility and care of your music. The performer's information will be shared with you as soon as we match the musicians with your composition.
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Should you have any further questions regarding the competition, please email:
2023 Competition Winners
You can read more about the 2023 edition winners, finalists and semifinalists here.