Tampa Bay Symphony: 10th Annual International Composition Competition Finals

The Tampa Bay Symphony is bringing the finals of its 10th Annual International Composition Competition to the New Tampa Performing Arts Center on Saturday, January 9, 2027. It's a free public event, and the whole thing runs from 8 PM to 10 PM.

To understand what you're walking into, it helps to know how the competition works. It's a call for scores open to living composers, and from those entries, one work is selected to be performed as part of the symphony's Spring 2027 concert series. This particular night is the step before that: the orchestra reads and rehearses the finalists' compositions in front of a live audience. It's a rare chance to hear new music being worked through in real time, rather than just the finished product on a record or a polished stage.

The orchestra behind it is the Tampa Bay Symphony, which they describe as one of the region's hidden jewels. It's a substantial ensemble, fielding more than 80 musicians, so these aren't chamber pieces—you'll be hearing full orchestral sound on these new scores.

Tickets are free, but you have to order them in advance to secure your seat, so don't wait until the last minute. The performance is at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa, Florida 33647, on Saturday, January 9, from 8 PM to 10 PM.