2^nd International Composition Competition
in memory of John de Beer

The International Composition Competition for Clarinet Choirs, in memory of John de Beer,
is open to composers from all over the world and without age limit.

The event, to be held completely on-line, is an unique opportunity to celebrate the musical creativity and the clarinet skillfullness in choral ensemble.

Each contestants may partecipate with a single composition, never performed or published, that turn this competiton into a showcase of inedited works with high artistic value.

Registration closes on March 30, 2026.
N.B. To avoid prejudice to any competitor, the score must be anonymous.

DOWNLOAD COMPETITION RULES APPLY FOR THE COMPETITION

The competition Jury

The Jury of the International Composition Competition, dedicated to the legendary John de Beer, is composed of musicians internationally renowed in the composition and clarinet performance field. Composers, orchestra directors and musicians, each one with a career full of success who will use their experience and artistic sensitivity in judging the works in the competition. This prestigiuos Jury ensures a high quality evaluation and celebrate the genius and the passion of John de Beer.

Óscar Navarro

Spain

BIO

Michele Mangani

Italia

BIO

Winners

1° Prize - NON ASSEGNATO

2° Prize - LUCA NEWMAN (United Kingdom)

Luca Newman was born in Cambridge, UK, and began playing the piano by ear at a young age, learning from his father, a piano technician and builder. He began formal piano lessons shortly before turning eight and quickly developed a strong interest in both performance and composition. At age ten, he was accepted into The Purcell School for Young Musicians in London, where I study piano with Mr. Florian Mitrea and composition with Simon Speare. His compositions have been publicly performed, including a solo piano piece at the Chiltern Arts Festival and an orchestral work performed by the school orchestra. Luca gave his first public recital in Romania at age twelve, broadcast nationally on the radio. At thirteen, he performed Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25, in concert. Since then he performed regularly in public venues and in renowned ones including Bechstein Hall and Wigmore Hall. he have had masterclasses from Philippe Raskin, Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden, Andreas Frölich, Vincenzo Balzani, Noriko Ogawa and Akiko Ebi. His aim is to pursue a career as a composer-pianist, with the long-term goal of performing his own piano concerto with an orchestra.

3° Prize - DAVID CUEVAS SANCHEZ (Spain)

David Cuevas studied composition among others with: Manuel Castillo, Teresa Catalán, and Augustin Charles. He is currently composition professor at the Conservatorio Superior de Música in La Coruña, Spain. His music has won awards in composition competitions for various ensembles, including: Joaquín Rodrigo International Composition Prize for the Orchestra of the Community of Madrid in 2003; the audience award at the Vacances Percutantes Percussion Competition in France (2013); the third prize at the International Composition Competition for Classic Guitar in Italy (2013); the first prize at the Romualdo Marenco International Composition Competition for Wind Band in Itally (2013); the first prize Novi Music, for wind orchestra (2015, 2021 and 2023) in Italy; finalist at the WindStream International Composition Competition in Lithuania (2014); semi-finalist at the Concours International de Composition pour Orchestre á vente ‘Coup de vents’ in France (2015); first prize at the Novi Music International Composition Competition for Wind Band in Italy (2021); second prize at the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin and awarded too for best orchestral work in Poland (2025); first prize at the 3rd Concours international de composition pour orchestra d’harmonie in France (2025).

2^nd INTERNATIONAL CLARINET
COMPETITION
"PORTUS NAONIS"

DAVID CUEVAS SANCHEZ

Spain

BIOGRAPHY

2^nd INTERNATIONAL CLARINET
COMPETITION
"PORTUS NAONIS"

LUCA NEWMAN

United Kingdom

BIOGRAPHY

Competition F.A.Q.

There is no age limit.

Yes, the composition must be anonymous, but the title may be indicated.

Yes, the Regulation only require that the duration be between 5 and 8 minutes, but do not limit the number of movements.

The choir can be variable and may include:
Eb piccolo clarinet
1 clarinet
2 clarinets
3 clarinets
alto clarinet (with optional part cl 4)
bass clarinet contrabass clarinet (with optional part cl bass 2)

Yes.

For the double bass part, if you expect the Bb part, rather than the Eb part, it should be indicated by having the system in a different key.

The parameters are indicated on the WASBE website (World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles). The association uses a system of levels from 1 to 6 to indicate the difficulty of the compositions as indicated below:

Grades 1 – 2 (beginner/easy): 1-5 minute duration, focused on developing ensembles, featuring basic instrumentation and optional cross-cued parts.
Grades 3 - 4 (intermediate/advanced): 3-8 minute duration, for more experienced players, featuring more complex rhythms and harmonies.
Grades 5 - 6 (advanced/professional): up to 25 minute duration, featuring advanced technical requirements, required optional instruments (like English horn or Eb clarinet) and full instrumentation.

As soon as the Jury has the opportunity to examine and judge all the pieces in the competition. The winner and all participants will be informed of the results by email.