The 40th Perpignan Sacred Music Festival, Perpignan, France, March 15–April 2, 2026, will include its international carillon composition competition. Compositions are sought for two carillonneurs and a trumpeter, with a theme of “Allegresse” or “Rejoicing.” The winning prize is €500, and the composition will be premiered on the historic 1878 Amédée Bollée carillon of 46 bells in Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral during the festival’s opening concert on March 21 by Jean-Marie Oriol, trumpeter, and Laurent Pie and Elizabeth Vitu, carillonneurs. The work will be published by the Beiaardcentrum Nederland Music Publications and will be available for purchase after its premiere.
The jury consists of Christine Vanhoutte, maître carillonneur, honorary president of Carillons en Pays-d’Oc; Jean-Marie Oriol, trumpeter, conservatory professor, member of Coblà Millenarià; and Brunston Poon, carillonneur, Castelnaudary.
Deadline for application is November 15.
For information: jpvitu@wanadoo.fr.
