“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding” - Albert Einstein

‘Love & Peace’, intertwined forces with the power to transform individuals and societies alike, can be expressed in many forms — the universal longing for unity, a reconciliation after conflict, the resilience of displaced communities or simply the intimacy of a quiet moment between friends (or perhaps former adversaries).

County Hall Arts (CHA) is delighted to announce its latest competition themed around ‘Love & Peace'. Classical music composers are invited to submit proposals for this quartet composition concours with the opportunity to share in a prize pool of £90,000.

The competition seeks original compositions which interpret these timeless themes with emotional depth, artistic integrity and technical excellence.

The first stage of the competition invites composers to submit a short "pitch document" (up to 3 pages, this may be text and/or image-based) setting out their vision for this classical  quartet composition. In addition, entrants should please supply an audio file or link to an earlier composition, a previous sample score composed for a quartet or small ensemble (ideally corresponding to the aforementioned audio file) and a biography/CV.

The concours is open for these 'first stage' submissions from 20th May through to 29th August 2025.

A selection of entrants will be long-listed and invited to create their quartet composition for a second stage of adjudication. The work then commissioned should be for flute quartet (flute, violin, viola and cello) - with a separate version to also be created for piano quartet (piano, violin, viola and cello). It’s anticipated that the winning piece will ultimately be performed by the County Hall Quartet and Kyoto Quartet.

The winner will be awarded a prize of £40,000. Up to five other finalists will each receive £10,000.

Love, in its truest form, fosters empathy, understanding, and compassion, allowing people to connect beyond differences of race, belief, or background. It is through love that walls are broken down and healing begins—whether in a fractured relationship or a divided community. When individuals choose to act from a place of love, even in the face of conflict, they plant the seeds for peace to grow.

Peace, meanwhile, is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, harmony, and respect. It thrives in environments where love is the guiding principle, where people seek not domination, but mutual well-being. In a world often fractured by violence and hate, love becomes the radical choice that paves the way toward lasting peace. Together, love and peace represent not just ideals to be admired, but values to be practiced daily in our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others.

In a world where harmony is more essential than ever, we invite composers to explore the transformative power of 'Love & Peace' through music.

Before you fill in the Submission Form, please read the Terms and Conditions.