Meet the finalists of the Alba Rosa Viëtor/Calefax Composers Competition! Forty-four composers under the age of 40 from all over the world submitted new works for reed quintet. Four of these have been selected anonymously to be premiered live during the final on 20 November at the Calefax Reed Festival.
Four reed quintets will perform the compositions of the finalists: Calefax, Dianto, Akropolis and Kalamos. In addition, each reed quintet will perform a highlight from its own repertoire. Discover various reed quintets and to get to know a new generation of composers. The audience also selects a winner for the Audience Award!
First prize: €3,500
Second prize: €2,500
Audience prize: €1,000
Japanese-American composer Yumi Augustine (2003) is a composition student at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. During her childhood in Japan, she explored a wide range of musical styles, from playing flamenco guitar to joining musical theater productions and choirs. Yumi is currently intrigued by composing theatre pieces, experimenting with text and working with relatable daily topics.
Jeroen Leentjens (Maastricht, 2003) began composing at the age of thirteen. In his compositions, he blends various styles such as classical, jazz, folk and electronic music. This combination results in a recognizable, exciting and energetic style. In 2022, he won the Princess Christina Composition Competition and he is currently studying composition at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam.
John Rotar (1995) is an Australian composer and conductor. Limelight magazine described him as a “talented and innovative composer”. Over 150 of his orchestral, choral, chamber and solo works have been performed by many leading arts organisations across Australia, Europe and North America. He is the artistic director of The Australian Voices and is active as a trombonist, singer, educator and is the organist and assistant director of music at historic Holy Trinity Church.
Björn Pinxter (Castricum, 2001) is an upcoming Dutch composer. He has been studying composition at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam since 2023. His work has been performed at the Opera Forward Festival 2025 and new commissions include a choral work for Vokalisk A Cappella Ensemble and a string quartet commissioned by the HearAndNow Festival 2026.