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Abu Dhabi Festival Launches ‘Abu Dhabi International Composition Competiti’n’, Opening the Global Stage to the Next Generation of Musical Visionaries
(MENAFN- Weber Shandwick) Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 22 May 2025: Held under the honorary founding patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Founding Honorary Patron of Abu Dhabi Festival, and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Festival - organised by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) - has announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition (ADICC). The new global platform - created to amplify rising voices in contemporary music - aims to nurture creative talent, elevate young composers and champion innovation that will shape the future of music on the world stage.
Her Excellency Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Founder of Abu Dhabi Festival, emphasised the importance of organising an international music composition competition in Abu Dhabi, as it reflects a commitment to promoting musical innovation and shaping its future in both the Arab world and globally.
H.E. said: “The Abu Dhabi International Music Competition for Composition (ADICC) embodies Abu Dha’i’s position as a city of music and a global incubator for creativity and artistic excellence. It marks a pivotal milestone in the journey of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) in nurturing talent - most notably through the Music Composition and Documentation Platform, which was established more than two decades ago. Today, with the Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition, we are witnessing the start of a new chapter that opens doors and horizons for contemporary global music composition from the heart of the’UAE’s capital, Abu ”habi.”
H.E. con“luded: “With its criteria of originality, creativity, intellectual depth and competence, along with the professional development and musical career opportunities it offers, the prestigious global competition contributes to empowering music composition and production in the UAE and across the world. Winners will be able to enhance their global presence and present their works on some of’the world’s most renowned musical stages - from the Abu Dhabi Festival to major international festivals and”orchestras.”
In the UAE's Year of Community, the launch of ADICC ’eflects ADMAF’s commitment to adv’ncing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global beacon of creative excellence, contributing to further strengthening its recognition as a UNESCO City of Music.
Open to emerging and established composers up to the age of 50 from around the world, submissions for the inaugural competition will be accepted from 15 June to 15 September 2025. Finalists will be announced on 15 December 2025, with the first-place winner receiving AED 130,000, a professional recording opportunity, and a world premiere performance with world-renowned partner orchestras at the 23rd edition of Abu Dhabi Festival in April 2026. The second-place winner will receive AED 50,000, along with a performance opportunity, global recognition and mentorship. The third-place winner will be awarded AED 25,000 and access to mentorship.
ADICC welcomes submissions from composers worldwide who must anonymously submit original, unpublished and unperformed works for consideration. Awards will be presented in two categories: orchestral compositions of up to 10 minutes, and solo works for piano up to 5 minutes, the featured instrument of the inaugural edition.
Submissions will be evaluated by a distinguished jury of renowned international composers and conductors across seven criteria, including originality, creativity and the ability to convey elegance, as well as intellectual depth. Technical proficiency, compositional technique, emotional impact and the integration of traditional instruments, melodies or rhythms from diverse musical heritages and styles will also be assessed.
Winning compositions will also be professionally recorded as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival Composers’ Platform initiative. Established more than a decade and a half ago, the platform supports music composers from around the world in presenting their work in Abu Dhabi and on the global stage. To date, the platform has produced 36 original compositions and 80 co-commissions, creating high-quality recordings that preserve both traditional and contemporary music.
For more information on the Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition (ADICC), please visit:
Her Excellency Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Founder of Abu Dhabi Festival, emphasised the importance of organising an international music composition competition in Abu Dhabi, as it reflects a commitment to promoting musical innovation and shaping its future in both the Arab world and globally.
H.E. said: “The Abu Dhabi International Music Competition for Composition (ADICC) embodies Abu Dha’i’s position as a city of music and a global incubator for creativity and artistic excellence. It marks a pivotal milestone in the journey of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) in nurturing talent - most notably through the Music Composition and Documentation Platform, which was established more than two decades ago. Today, with the Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition, we are witnessing the start of a new chapter that opens doors and horizons for contemporary global music composition from the heart of the’UAE’s capital, Abu ”habi.”
H.E. con“luded: “With its criteria of originality, creativity, intellectual depth and competence, along with the professional development and musical career opportunities it offers, the prestigious global competition contributes to empowering music composition and production in the UAE and across the world. Winners will be able to enhance their global presence and present their works on some of’the world’s most renowned musical stages - from the Abu Dhabi Festival to major international festivals and”orchestras.”
In the UAE's Year of Community, the launch of ADICC ’eflects ADMAF’s commitment to adv’ncing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global beacon of creative excellence, contributing to further strengthening its recognition as a UNESCO City of Music.
Open to emerging and established composers up to the age of 50 from around the world, submissions for the inaugural competition will be accepted from 15 June to 15 September 2025. Finalists will be announced on 15 December 2025, with the first-place winner receiving AED 130,000, a professional recording opportunity, and a world premiere performance with world-renowned partner orchestras at the 23rd edition of Abu Dhabi Festival in April 2026. The second-place winner will receive AED 50,000, along with a performance opportunity, global recognition and mentorship. The third-place winner will be awarded AED 25,000 and access to mentorship.
ADICC welcomes submissions from composers worldwide who must anonymously submit original, unpublished and unperformed works for consideration. Awards will be presented in two categories: orchestral compositions of up to 10 minutes, and solo works for piano up to 5 minutes, the featured instrument of the inaugural edition.
Submissions will be evaluated by a distinguished jury of renowned international composers and conductors across seven criteria, including originality, creativity and the ability to convey elegance, as well as intellectual depth. Technical proficiency, compositional technique, emotional impact and the integration of traditional instruments, melodies or rhythms from diverse musical heritages and styles will also be assessed.
Winning compositions will also be professionally recorded as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival Composers’ Platform initiative. Established more than a decade and a half ago, the platform supports music composers from around the world in presenting their work in Abu Dhabi and on the global stage. To date, the platform has produced 36 original compositions and 80 co-commissions, creating high-quality recordings that preserve both traditional and contemporary music.
For more information on the Abu Dhabi International Competition for Composition (ADICC), please visit:
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