6th Warren Benson International Composition Contest – Franco Cesarini evaluate works in the semifinal round

For the sixth edition of the prestigious composition competition, which now bears the name of an illustrious figure in WASBE, Warren Benson, 90 submissions were received. Due to the great number of applicants the results of the first round for Categories I and II will be announced on January 5, 2026.

Six works will advance to the semifinal round. These works will be evaluated by an internationally renowned panel consisting of Frank Ticheli, Adam Gorb, Franco Cesarini, and Yasuhide Ito.

FINALISTS are:

Category I

MIRAGE – Wes Coffin, United States

FROZEN IN TIME – Craig Sanders, United Kingdom

EPOS – René Camilleri, Malta

Category II

JUX-TRANSPOSITION – Elson Kwong, Malaysia

VARIATIONS ON THE WATER – Joel Rutherford, United States

WIJSMULLER FOR WIND ENSEMBLE – Ian Schwalbe, United States

The final concert of the competition will take place during the WASBE Conference in Rio de Janeiro (July 21 – 25, 2026). Following the performance of the three finalist works in each category, the winning piece will be selected.

Category III: “Emerging Composers,”:

Jui-Ying Huang (Taiwan)

Joanne Na (Korean – American)

Both composers will take part in a workshop with Jodie Blackshaw in Rio de Janeiro. Congratulations!