ANNOUNCING the WINNERS of the 17th ANNUAL JOHN EATON MEMORIAL COMPETITION

The John Eaton Memorial Competition is a prestigious event in the world of contemporary classical music named for our long-time beloved member, who passed away in 2015. We look for new contemporary works to present alongside our members' works each year at our concerts. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the talented composers who submitted their entries to this year’s contest.

Following a closely contested adjudication process, we are thrilled to announce the 17th John Eaton Memorial Competition winner is Insects for String Quartet by composer Sofia Jen Ouyang. The runner-up was chosen as Ginkyo-ya: Pendula (in memoriam Krzysztof Penderecki) for string quartet by composer Jakub Polaczyk. In addition to the performance, the winner will receive a complimentary one-year membership in the New York Composers Circle. The runner-up will receive a complimentary one-year membership as well.

We look forward to getting to know these composers and their music.

Please email any questions regarding the competition or application process to David Mecionis, Artistic Director, at david@newyorkcomposerscircle.org.

PAST WINNING COMPOSERS and PIECES

2024: Sofia Jen Ouyang, Insects for string quartet

• Runner-up: Jakub Polaczyk, Ginko-ya: Pendulum (in memoriam Krzysztof Penderecki)

2023: Will Stackpole, Palette for string quartet

• Honorable Mention: Sami Seif, Orientalism for string quartet
• Honorable Mention: Kurt Nelson, Struttura Assente for string trio

2022: Patrick Andrew Thompson, Moments Sweep Past for soprano, cello, and piano

• Honorable Mention: Matīss Čudars, Drive for solo piano
• Honorable Mention: Jeremy Gill, Quartet for Oboe and Strings

2021: No prize awarded

2020: Jeffrey Niederhoffer, Picking Up Where I Left Off for violin and piano

• Honorable Mention: David Hier, String Quartet in Two Movements
• Honorable Mention: Zach Gulaboff Davis, Prism for piano trio

2019: Cheng Jin Koh, Ecstasy for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano

• Honorable Mention: Derek Cooper, Kill James for bassoon, cello, and piano
• Honorable Mention: Michael Salvatore Grebla, for Sfidare for string quartet
• Honorable Mention: Ursula Kwong-Brown, Unwinding II for string quartet

2018: Gilad Cohen, Three Goat Blues for string quartet

2017: Andrey Komanetsky, for String Quartet in Five Movements

2016: No prize awarded

2015: Ross Griffey, Tied by a Chance Bond Together, for violin and piano

2014: Vladimir Del Orbe, Contextual Enigma for clarinet, double bass, and piano

• Honorable Mention: José Beviá, Trio No. 3 for Violin, Cello, and Piano
• Honorable Mention: Jonathan Bingham, Quartet for Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano

2013: Eric Segerstrom, Two Poems, for piano trio

• Honorable Mention: David Brooks, 'Metamorphosis’ Variations, for prepared piano

2012: Jesse Diener-Bennett, Ninth for Two, for flute and violin

2011: Max Giteck Duykers, Glass Blue Cleft, for string quartet

2010: Scott D. Miller, Polychrome Stride, for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano

2009: Elizabeth Lim, Wafting, for string quartet

2008: Co-winners Robert S. Cohen, The Mysterious Transformation of Johann B., for clarinet and 6 percussionists; Brian Fennelly "Sigol” for Two for two cellos

2007: Dana Dimitri Richardson, Ballade, for piano

• Honorable Mention: Steve Cohen, Serenade for String Quartet
• Honorable Mention: Marc-Antonio Consoli, Tre per Due for flute, clarinet, and piano
• Honorable Mention: Alex Temple, Her Name Was Renée for clarinet, percussion, double bass, and piano