THE UNIVERSAL MARIMBA COMPOSITION COMPETITION 2026
 

The Universal Marimba Composition Competition (UCCB), established in 2009 as a division of the prestigious Universal Marimba Competition, is dedicated to supporting composer's careers and promoting new, creative, contemporary, and classical repertoire for marimba and percussion. This mission is realized through the Competition’s musical activities, collaborations with international organizations, concert- and recording productions, and publishing oppurtunities with major publishers. The 9th edition in 2026 will once again play an important role in promoting composers and marimba performers worldwide.
 

COMPOSITION CATEGORIES 

  • Marimba Solo

  • Marimba Duo

  • Marimba Chamber Music

  • Marimba Ensemble (trio, quartet ...) 

  • Marimba Concerto


PRIZE AWARDS 

1st Prize Laureate Composition

-will be announced and international promoted as the 1st Prize Composition Laureate of the UCCB 2026.
-will be published with offered publishing contract by Splendid Arts Edition. 
-will be worldwide distributed and promoted by Splendid Arts edition.
-will be added as repertory list and/or obligatory piece of future editions of the universal Marimba Competition.
-will receive the 1st Prize Diploma.
-will receive 200 Euro. 
 

2nd Prize Laureate Composition

-will be announced and international promoted as the 2nd Prize Composition Laureate of the UCCB 2026.
-will be published with offered publishing contract by Splendid Arts Edition. 
-will be worldwide distributed and promoted by Splendid Arts Edition. 
-will be added in the repertory list of the UMCB future editions.
-will receive the 2nd Prize Diploma.
-will receive 150 Euro.
 

3rd Prize Laureate Composition

-will be announced and international promoted as the 3rd Prize Composition Laureate of the UCCB 2026.
-will be published with offered publishing contract by Splendid Arts Edition. 
-will be worldwide distributed and promoted by Splendid Arts Edition. 
-will be added in the repertory list of the UMCB future editions.
-will receive the 3rd Prize Diploma.
-will receive 100 Euro.


Extra Prizes 
  • -It can appear that publishing is offered to non-winning compositions as well. In that case the composers will be contacted by the organization after the Competition 2026. 
  • Notice: Only the winning compositions in the Marimba Solo &  Duo categories may be considered and included as repertoire pieces for future editions of the Universal Marimba Competition.
  • The jury committee will include distinguished marimba virtuosi and composers such as Dr. Ludwig Albert (BE), Ru Wen (CN), Igor Lesnik (HR), Filippo Lattanzi (IT), Rodrigo Marques (PT), Johan Bridger (DK) and other representatives.
  • Winning compositions may also be introduced for performances at international percussion and marimba festivals. 
  • The winning laureates will receive by post the winning laureate diploma's and offered Prizes.
  • The winning Composers will be offered an International Publishing contract by Splendid Arts Edition BE. 


PRELIMINARY RULES & REGULATIONS 

  • A maximum of one work per category (Marimba Solo, Duo, Chamber Music, Ensemble, and Concerto) may be submitted to the Competition.

  • Competitors may participate in one or more categories, with a maximum of one work per category.
     

Regulations
 

  • Duration:

    • Solo: minimum 7 minutes / maximum 12 minutes

    • Duo: minimum 7 minutes / maximum 12 minutes

    • Chamber Music: minimum 7 minutes / maximum 12 minutes

    • Ensemble: minimum 7 minutes / maximum 12 minutes

    • Concerto: minimum 15 minutes / maximum 25 minutes

  • The use of additional tape or electronics is permitted.

  • Scores must be submitted electronically before June 15th, 2026 .

  • All works must be composed for 5-octaves marimbas. .

  • Works that have previously received an award in another competition have been published or performed publicly, or are scheduled for publication in the near future are not eligible for entry.

  • Competitors agree that the winning compositions will be promoted and published worldwide by Splendid Arts Edition, unless the composer is already under contract with another publishing company. Splendid Arts Edition offers a publishing contract under highly favorable conditions regarding royalties, rights, printing quality, lay-out, and international promotion. 

  • If a competitor is exclusively bound to another publisher, he or she is responsible for obtaining an exemption (clearance) to participate in the Competition with the submitted work. The competitor must also ensure that all future pubications clearly mention the official title "Universal Marimba Competition Belgium" and the Prize awarded. 

  • In some cases, publication may be offered for non- winning compositions as well. Composers will be contacted by the organization after the 2026 Competition if this applies, 

Score formats  

  • The music score must be finalized (Sibelius, Encore, Finale, or similar notation software) for publication review. Handwritten manuscripts are further not be accepted.  


APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

  • Only the title, year of composition, and duration of yhe work may appear on the score. The composer's name must not be included to ensure that the selection committee can judge the scores anonymously. The organization will assign a registration number to each submitted score.  

  • The composer's name, correspondence addressn and the work's title must be clearly indicated in the application form. 
    After submitting the application, the competitor will receive a regiistration nulmber, which must be used for all communication and identificatIon. 

  • Competitors must submit all required materials electronically before June 15th, 2026. 

            1) A biography of the composer (in English, maximum 150 words)
            2) A commentary on the work(s) (in English, maximum 100 words)
            3) The finalized scores(s)
            4) An audio / MIDI file of the work(s)
            5) A signed declaration, dated by the composer.
                This declaration states that the work(s) have not previously won any Prize and have not been published.
            6) A signed declaration confirming that the composer is interested in and agrees to have the composition published by
                Splendid Arts Edition, or, if already under contract with another publisher, providing relevant details. 
 

  • Future performances of the winning compositions during the Universal Marimba Competition & Festival shall not incur any rental or performance fees.

  • All submitted works will be deleted after the Competition.Only the selected winning Compositions will be retained in the UCCB library.

  • The application fee is non-refundable..

  • The jury resefrves the right not to award a Prize if the rquired artistic level is nit achieved, and its decisions are finakl and biding. 

  • By submitting a work, the composer accepts all rules, conditions, and the decisions of the jury, as stated in the entry form.

  • Works that do not comply with the above requirements will be disqualified. 

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