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The Ö÷²¥´óÐã Proms is now calling for 12 to 18 year-old composers to enter the 12th annual Ö÷²¥´óÐã Proms Young Composers' Competition.

The winners – up to six in two age categories – are given unrivalled opportunities to reach wide audiences on world-class classical music platforms, the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Proms and Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 3, and have their music performed by professional musicians. They also receive a coveted Ö÷²¥´óÐã commission.

The 2009 winners wrote new pieces for the Last Night Of The Proms and had their work broadcast to millions around the world. Details of 2010 commissions will be announced later.

Entries to the competition are judged by a panel of leading composers from varied musical fields. Composers have until 28 May 2010 to submit their entries.

All entrants are invited to attend an Inspire Day on 2 August 2010.

Attracting hundreds of participants last year, this day provides an opportunity for young composers to meet professional performing musicians and composers, their peers and key music industry people, to participate in creative workshops and attend a Ö÷²¥´óÐã Proms concert.

The Young Composers' Competition is the culmination of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Proms' annual Inspire scheme and the Ö÷²¥´óÐã is also calling for young composers to sign up for its acclaimed Composer Labs, taking place in more venues around the UK than ever in 2010.

Through the Composer Labs, Inspire aims to give the broadest range of young talent across the UK the opportunity to explore their musical boundaries, new ways of composing and get a taste of what it means to be a composer in the 21st century.

The Composer Labs take place in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Truro between 7 February and 11 April 2010.

In the Composer Labs young composers can work with established composers and professional musicians from the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's six performing groups. The Labs also provide an opportunity for young composers to share ideas, meet each other, get feedback on their music and develop their musical creativity.

For the first time, an online version of a Composer Lab will also be made available from April. This will include footage from the various Labs, recommendations, tips and more.

Anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 can enter the competition and/or participate in the Composer Labs and music can be in any style. It is not compulsory to attend a Lab in order to enter the competition (or vice versa).

Roger Wright, Director, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Proms, and Controller, Radio 3, says: "The Ö÷²¥´óÐã remains one of the world's leading commissioners of new music in the world and it is important to provide high-level support to the next generation of talent.

"Through both the Young Composers' Competition and the Composer Labs around the UK we aim to help the broadest range of young composers around the UK to gain skills and confidence in expressing themselves through music and also to provide a rich set of opportunities to the young composers of the future."

Notes to Editors

Composer Labs dates and venues:

Sunday 7 February – Glasgow
Glasgow City Halls – In partnership with Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Sunday 14 February – London
Ö÷²¥´óÐã Maida Vale Studio – In partnership with the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Symphony Orchestra

Sunday 7 March – Cardiff
Hoddinott Hall – In partnership with the Ö÷²¥´óÐã National Orchestra of Wales

Sunday 14 March – Truro
Truro High School for Girls – In partnership with the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Concert Orchestra

Tuesday 6 April – Birmingham
CBSO Centre – In partnership with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group

Sunday 11 April – Manchester
Manchester Broadcasting House – In partnership with the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Philharmonic Orchestra

Key dates for Young Composers' Competition:

Monday 4 January
Competition opens

Friday 28 May
Closing date for entries to competition

Monday 2 August
Inspire Day: including workshops, talks, the Young Composers' Concert at Royal College of Music and an evening Ö÷²¥´óÐã Proms concert.

Full information about how to enter, rules, as well as details of the Composer Labs, can be found at bbc.co.uk/proms.

VB