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We are delighted to welcome the Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition by FIMPV as the first organisation outside the UK to sign up to Sound and Music’s Fair Access Principles.
This marks an important new chapter for Fair Access, taking a network built around collective action, learning and accountability in the UK into an international context for the first time. Crucially, the partnership is already translating into practical change.
As the Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition (CICPV) prepares for its 20th edition in 2027, the team has taken the opportunity to rethink how it works and who is able to take part.
Its new regulations remove the competition’s previous age restriction, opening applications to composers of all nationalities, with no age limit and regardless of background, training or career stage.
The change followed conversations between FIMPV Artistic Director and General Coordinator Raúl da Costa and Sound and Music Chief Executive Dr Will Dutta about barriers within composition competitions and how the Fair Access Principles could support a more inclusive approach.
CICPV is also looking beyond the 2027 edition. For 2028, the competition intends to revisit the requirement that submitted works must previously have been unperformed and not commissioned, continuing the process of examining how it can remove unnecessary barriers for composers.
Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition by FIMPV
Our Fair Access Principles are a sector-leading code of best practice for inclusive and equitable artist development, designed to address structural barriers and create fairer pathways into music.
More than 35 organisations have joined the Fair Access Network to date, sharing learning, challenging established practices and working collectively to improve how opportunities for music creators are designed and delivered.
By becoming a Fair Access Partner, CICPV has committed to bringing its opportunities into line with the Principles within 24 months and to taking part in the Fair Access Assembly each year alongside other members of the network.
Its decision to join comes during a wider reassessment of the competition itself, with the changes introduced for 2027 representing the beginning of that process rather than its endpoint.
Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition by FIMPV
The Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition (CICPV) recognises and premieres new musical works by composers from around the world as part of the Póvoa de Varzim International Music Festival (FIMPV). CICPV celebrates its 20th edition in 2027, alongside the 49th edition of FIMPV.
Finalist works are rehearsed and premiered in concert, creating an opportunity for composers to hear their work realised by professional musicians and presented to a live audience. For the 2027 edition, the finalist works will be performed by the Ensemble Contemporâneo da Póvoa de Varzim, conducted by Stanley Dodds.
CICPV has also increased the financial and practical support available to composers. The first prize is €10,000, alongside a €4,000 second prize and €1,000 audience prize. Each finalist receives an additional €750 grant, with FIMPV also covering travel and accommodation for rehearsals and the final concert.
Sound and Music Chief Executive Dr Will Dutta will join the international jury for the 2027 competition alongside jury chair António Pinho Vargas, Luís Tinoco, Fátima Fonte and Ângela da Ponte. The competition is open to composers of all nationalities, with no age limit and regardless of background, training or career stage.
Applications for the 20th Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition open on 2 November 2026.
The Póvoa de Varzim International Music Festival (FIMPV) was founded in Portugal in 1979.
Throughout its history, the festival has brought leading Portuguese and international musicians to Póvoa de Varzim while supporting contemporary creation and creating opportunities for emerging artists.
Alongside presenting established repertoire, FIMPV has maintained a strong commitment to the music of its time. The creation of the Ensemble Contemporâneo da Póvoa de Varzim represents a further development of that work, bringing together musicians with careers in leading Portuguese and European orchestras and providing a dedicated ensemble for new repertoire, including works emerging from CICPV.
The festival also has a long relationship with Póvoa de Varzim and the wider region, presenting performances in venues including some of its historic churches and helping connect international music-making with local audiences.
For Sound and Music, welcoming our first international Fair Access Partner also creates an opportunity to learn how the Principles translate into a different national and cultural context.
Since their launch in 2020, the Fair Access Principles have been built around the understanding that meaningful change requires organisations to keep examining their practices, learning from one another and being prepared to change the structures surrounding creative opportunities.
FIMPV becoming the first organisation outside the UK to join the network takes that conversation into a new international context and we hope it will be the beginning of many more.
We’re always welcome to more partners joining our ever-growing Fair Access Network. Find out more about the benefits and how to get involved by emailing our CEO, Dr Will Dutta at: [email protected]
The post Welcoming Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition — Our first international Fair Access partner appeared first on Sound and Music.
This marks an important new chapter for Fair Access, taking a network built around collective action, learning and accountability in the UK into an international context for the first time. Crucially, the partnership is already translating into practical change.
As the Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition (CICPV) prepares for its 20th edition in 2027, the team has taken the opportunity to rethink how it works and who is able to take part.
Its new regulations remove the competition’s previous age restriction, opening applications to composers of all nationalities, with no age limit and regardless of background, training or career stage.
The change followed conversations between FIMPV Artistic Director and General Coordinator Raúl da Costa and Sound and Music Chief Executive Dr Will Dutta about barriers within composition competitions and how the Fair Access Principles could support a more inclusive approach.
CICPV is also looking beyond the 2027 edition. For 2028, the competition intends to revisit the requirement that submitted works must previously have been unperformed and not commissioned, continuing the process of examining how it can remove unnecessary barriers for composers.
Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition by FIMPV
A commitment to Fair Access
Our Fair Access Principles are a sector-leading code of best practice for inclusive and equitable artist development, designed to address structural barriers and create fairer pathways into music.
More than 35 organisations have joined the Fair Access Network to date, sharing learning, challenging established practices and working collectively to improve how opportunities for music creators are designed and delivered.
By becoming a Fair Access Partner, CICPV has committed to bringing its opportunities into line with the Principles within 24 months and to taking part in the Fair Access Assembly each year alongside other members of the network.
Its decision to join comes during a wider reassessment of the competition itself, with the changes introduced for 2027 representing the beginning of that process rather than its endpoint.
Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition by FIMPV
About the Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition (CICPV)
The Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition (CICPV) recognises and premieres new musical works by composers from around the world as part of the Póvoa de Varzim International Music Festival (FIMPV). CICPV celebrates its 20th edition in 2027, alongside the 49th edition of FIMPV.
Finalist works are rehearsed and premiered in concert, creating an opportunity for composers to hear their work realised by professional musicians and presented to a live audience. For the 2027 edition, the finalist works will be performed by the Ensemble Contemporâneo da Póvoa de Varzim, conducted by Stanley Dodds.
CICPV has also increased the financial and practical support available to composers. The first prize is €10,000, alongside a €4,000 second prize and €1,000 audience prize. Each finalist receives an additional €750 grant, with FIMPV also covering travel and accommodation for rehearsals and the final concert.
Sound and Music Chief Executive Dr Will Dutta will join the international jury for the 2027 competition alongside jury chair António Pinho Vargas, Luís Tinoco, Fátima Fonte and Ângela da Ponte. The competition is open to composers of all nationalities, with no age limit and regardless of background, training or career stage.
Applications for the 20th Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition open on 2 November 2026.
Find out more and apply here
About the Póvoa de Varzim International Music Festival (FIMPV)
The Póvoa de Varzim International Music Festival (FIMPV) was founded in Portugal in 1979.
Throughout its history, the festival has brought leading Portuguese and international musicians to Póvoa de Varzim while supporting contemporary creation and creating opportunities for emerging artists.
Alongside presenting established repertoire, FIMPV has maintained a strong commitment to the music of its time. The creation of the Ensemble Contemporâneo da Póvoa de Varzim represents a further development of that work, bringing together musicians with careers in leading Portuguese and European orchestras and providing a dedicated ensemble for new repertoire, including works emerging from CICPV.
The festival also has a long relationship with Póvoa de Varzim and the wider region, presenting performances in venues including some of its historic churches and helping connect international music-making with local audiences.
Get involved
For Sound and Music, welcoming our first international Fair Access Partner also creates an opportunity to learn how the Principles translate into a different national and cultural context.
Since their launch in 2020, the Fair Access Principles have been built around the understanding that meaningful change requires organisations to keep examining their practices, learning from one another and being prepared to change the structures surrounding creative opportunities.
FIMPV becoming the first organisation outside the UK to join the network takes that conversation into a new international context and we hope it will be the beginning of many more.
We’re always welcome to more partners joining our ever-growing Fair Access Network. Find out more about the benefits and how to get involved by emailing our CEO, Dr Will Dutta at: [email protected]
Learn more about our Fair Access Principles
Read the Fair Access Principles
Follow FIMPV on Instagram
The post Welcoming Póvoa de Varzim International Composition Competition — Our first international Fair Access partner appeared first on Sound and Music.