S. Pietro a Majella Conservatory of Music (Naples/Italy) - Antonio Falconio Award

What you get

You get a cash prize for composing a new piece of music. The top prize is 1,500 EUR. Second and third place are worth 500 EUR each. The money comes from the Rotary Club Napoli (Gruppo Partenopeo) and the family of Antonio Falconio, a former president of the Naples conservatory. The Conservatorio di Musica San Pietro a Majella in Naples runs the award in his memory, to keep the Neapolitan song tradition alive.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at the San Pietro a Majella Conservatoire in Naples this academic year.
• Your course: You are studying composition, choral conducting and composition, or jazz.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality may apply, provided they are enrolled there.
• The task: You are to compose an original work for a singing voice (male or female) and up to three instruments. The work must be between 5 and 10 minutes in duration and set to the selected Neapolitan text.

How to apply

You must submit your composition to the Conservatoire by the deadline. For the last edition, this was 29 March. A jury comprising composition professors and Rotary members assesses the entries anonymously. The shortlisted finalists then perform their works live at a public concert in the Sala Scarlatti, where the winners are announced.

How realistic are your chances?

This competition is very specific: only students on composition-related courses at this particular conservatoire in Naples are eligible to take part, so the field of entrants is small. Your result depends on the quality of your composition, not on your marks or your background. As the jury assesses entries anonymously, the work speaks for itself. A strong, well-crafted piece that meets the Neapolitan criteria has a genuine chance of success.