Applications are now open for the 2025 Black Pencil Prize competition, which will be awarded to a new composition written for the instrumentation of the Black Pencil ensemble: recorder, panflute, viola, accordion and percussion (all five of the ensemble’s instruments).

​The piece can also include harpsichord, organ, (live) electronics, video and/or theatrical elements.

Age limit: none
Entry fee: none
Nationality requirements: none
Duration: minimum 4 minutes, maximum 8 minutes

Prizes include:

• Financial prize of 3.000€
• A professional studio recording of the winning composition
• Performance of the piece during a selection of concerts of Black Pencil

​The jury will comprise of all members of the Ensemble Black Pencil, which are Jorge Isaac (recorder – blockflute and Artistic Director), Matthijs Koene (panflute), Esra Pehlivanli (viola), Marko Kassl (accordion) and Enric Monfort (percussion).

The jury will choose 3 to 5 works to be performed during the festival Prix Annelie de Man 2025, from which the winning composition will be selected.

The deadline for applications is: October 1st, 2025