
COMPETITION REGULATIONS
The Fundación Don Juan de Borbón, an institution under the Department of Culture of the City Council of Segovia, announces the VIII International Composition Competition María de Pablos, with the aim of fostering and promoting the creative work of women composers, while also paying tribute to the Segovian composer María de Pablos Cerezo (1904–1990), a pioneer in her time in the field of music composition.
This call for entries forms part of the Encuentro Mujeres Músicas María de Pablos, a programme dedicated to highlighting the work and trajectory of women composers, both past and present, through concerts, talks, and meetings. The competition will culminate in the Final Concert, where the three finalist works will be performed and the winners announced.
Phases of the Competition:
The competition consists of two phases:
· First Phase:
In November 2025, a jury composed of esteemed figures from the musical field will select three finalist works.
· Final Phase and Award Ceremony:
This will take place during the VIII Encuentro Mujeres Músicas María de Pablos on 31 January 2026 in Segovia, Spain. The three finalist works will be performed in a concert, after which the jury will award the first, second, and third prizes to the participating composers. The audience will determine the Audience Award through voting. Iberia, a collaborator of the Competition, will cover part of the air travel expenses (if applicable) for the finalists attending the award ceremony

- Eligibility:
The competition is open to female composers of all ages and nationalities.
- Musical Composition Requirements:
The competition calls for compositions for soprano and piano. In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Antonio Machado’s birth (1875–2025), who resided in Segovia between 1919 and 1932, composers must use a text by the poet as the basis for their musical creation.
- Originality:
Submitted works must be unpublished, not have been performed publicly, broadcast via radio, television, or the internet, nor awarded in any other competition.
- Duration:
Works must last between 7 and 15 minutes.
- Anonymity:
Scores must be submitted including the original title of the work and must not indicate the composer’s name on any of its pages.
- Inquiries:
For questions or clarifications regarding these rules, please contact us via email at: fundacion@fundaciondonjuandeborbon.org

- 1st Prize “MARÍA DE PABLOS”
– One thousand five hundred euros (1500€)
– World premiere of the work at the XXXIV Jornadas de Música Contemporánea de Segovia, 2026/27 edition.
– Certificate
- 2nd Prize
– Five hundred euros (500€)
– Certificate
- 3rd Prize
– Three hundred euros (300€)
– Certificate
- Audience Award “BARRIO DE SANTA EULALIA”:
– Two hundred euros (200€)
– Certificate

· Deadline:
The registration period will close on Monday, 6 October 2025.
· Submission:
Participants must send their proposals via email to fundacion@fundaciondonjuandeborbon.org, including the following documentation:
- Score in PDF format and A4 size. Works may be computer-transcribed or handwritten (scanned, with clear handwriting, without corrections or erasures). Finalist works must be computer-transcribed; composers are required to provide the computerised printed copy within 8 days of the jury’s decision. Any changes between the work submitted and the final score will result in disqualification.
- A photocopy of the National ID (both sides) or passport.
- A brief curriculum vitae.
- Proof of payment of the €30 registration fee, which can be made in one of the following ways:
1. By deposit into the account: ES34-2100-6112-7913-0041-4225
2. By online payment via credit card at: https://fundaciondonjuandeborbon.org/inscripcion-viii-concurso-internacional-de-composicion-maria-de-pablos/

In October 2025, the Jury will convene to select the three finalist works. Once the Jury formalises its decision, the organisation will announce both the Jury and the identities of the finalist composers to the media.

- Date and Venue:
The Final Phase will take place on 31 January 2026 in Segovia.
- Attendance:
The three finalist composers may attend the Final Phase and the award ceremony, although their presence is not mandatory.
- Rehearsals:
On the morning of 31 January, each composer will have one hour of rehearsal with the performers in the venue.
- Travel and Accommodation:
Iberia collaborates by covering part of the travel expenses. Iberia and the Fundación will cover air travel from Iberia’s routes to Madrid and accommodation in Segovia (30 January–1 February 2026). Ground transportation must be covered by the composers.

- Jury’s Decision:
The Jury’s decision shall be final and binding. It may declare any prize void if deemed appropriate.
- Rights:
Finalists shall assign the rights of their works to the Fundación Don Juan de Borbón for recording, editing, and dissemination of the Final Phase (31 January 2026). Rights revert to the composers after this and the world premiere at the XXXIV Jornadas de Música Contemporánea de Segovia (2026/27 edition).
- Participation:
Participation implies full acceptance of these terms. Any unforeseen circumstances shall be resolved by the organisers.
Application
