The VLAMO Composition Contest is seeking new works for wind band and fanfare band. Our aim is to encourage and inspire composers to write pieces specifically tailored to these orchestras and their instrumentation. In other words, quality over quantity.
2027: marching music
For the first time, VLAMO’s International Composition Contest is seeking new marching music (with a difficulty level no higher than grade 3). In this way, we aim to further enrich and breathe new life into the marching music repertoire, which is characteristic of wind music practice.
This contest competition is being organised as part of ‘Op Klinkende Wegen’, a collaboration between VLAMO and Trage Wegen. This supralocal cultural project takes orchestras outdoors, to meaningful, slow-paced routes in the local area. Music, old roads and local stories come together here, introducing the wider public to the cultural value of amateur music and public spaces. The composition must therefore align with the theme and spirit of this project.
The winning march will premiere during the closing event of ‘Op Klinkende Wegen’, on the weekend of 16 and 17 October 2027. The orchestras taking part in the project will perform the march on and around various slow roads in Flanders.
Do you fancy a musical challenge?
Are you eager to create new marching music?
The competition is open to composers from all countries and of all ages.
Submit your score by January 15, 2027 at the latest.
The prize for the winning work is 1,200 euro. The winning march will also be published by Molenaar Edition and will be performed by the participating orchestras of Op Klinkende Wegen.
2025: fanfare band
Laureate
- Winner 2nd division: The Invisible Thread - Thibaut Bruniaux (FR)
- Winner 3rd division: Chasing the Horizon - Peter Leroy
Laureate
- Winner 2nd division: Wind of Withering - Ralf Uhl (DE)
- There was no laureate for third division.
Laureate
- Winner 2nd division: A Dragon's Tale - Filip Ceunen (BE)
There was no laureate for third division.
Honourable mentions (2nd division)
- Belgica - Wouter Vercruysse
- A Soldier's Letter - Yves Wuyts
2022: wind band
Laureates
- Winner 3rd division: Horses of the Camargue - Steven De Baecke
- Winner 2nd division: Bleak Forest - Andreas Ziegelbäck (AT)
Honourable mention
- The Ocean Beast - Pimpanit Karoonyavanich
2021: fanfare band
Laureates
- Winner 3rd division: A New World Fantasy - Jean-Pierre Haeck
- Winner 2nd division: The Legend of Kópakonan - Thom Zigterman
Honourable mentions
- Finta - Frits Kessels (NL)
- Mayan Mysteries - Peter Leroy
- Resilience! - Stijn Roels
More info: dirk@vlamo.be
Photo banner: Getty Images
