THE National Centre for Early Music, in York, and BBC Radio 3 will present the 2015 NCEM Young Composers Award in partnership with the Scottish baroque ensemble Dunedin Consort.

Launched on BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show on November 30, this national award is open to young composers up to the age of 25, living in Britain, and is divided into two age categories: 18 and under and 19 to 25.

Composers are invited to write a new piece for Dunedin Consort, to be directed by the consort's award-winning conductor, organist, harpsichordist and scholar, John Butt.

Delma Tomlin, the NCEM''s director, says: "We're delighted to be able to offer the shortlisted young composers the opportunity to take part in a day-long workshop with the outstanding Dunedin Consort musicians. The winning pieces will be performed by the consort and recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show.

"As the National Centre for Early Music, we're particularly keen to ensure that the award offers young composers a unique opportunity to have their works rehearsed and performed to an extremely high standard and for the winning pieces to receive national recognition. We look forward to welcoming the young composers and Dunedin Consort into the supportive and nurturing environment we have created for this award.”

Les Pratt, lead producer for Radio 3’s Early Music Show, says the BBC classical music station has always been committed to supporting new music. "It is part of the BBC Music strategy, as is encouraging young musicians in the early stages of their careers," he adds.

"We’re delighted to continue our partnership in this award for 2015 and are excited to hear what the young composers will make of this new challenge. The wealth of inventiveness from the young composers is always impressive, and we’re looking forward to working through this stimulating process and to hearing Dunedin Consort perform the winning pieces next year.”

Dunedin director John Butt considers the consort's involvement to be a great privilege. "This award is a wonderful project," he says. "New music for old instruments and historical vocal techniques is one of the growth areas in composition today, particularly given the tremendous skills that historical performers have developed. And new, unusual, sounds for these forces surely help provide added inspiration for the interpretation of historical repertories.”

Applicants must register their interest in the award by 5pm on February 20 2015 by emailing the NCEM at education@ncem.co.uk

Completed scores must be received no later than 5pm on March 20. The award will be judged at the NCEM on May 14 next spring. During the day, a shortlist of entries will be presented by Dunedin Consort in a workshop led by composer Christopher Fox. At 7.30pm, the consort will perform each of the pieces in the presence of a panel of judges, after which the two winners will be announced.

Terms and conditions and details of how to take part in the NCEM Young Composers Award 2015 will be posted at ncem.co.uk/youngcomposersaward2015

For more information, email education@ncem.co.uk