St Catherine’s College Launches the 2025 Henfrey-Spitalfields Composition Prize
St Catherine’s College is proud to announce the official launch of the 2025 Henfrey-Spitalfields Composition Prize. Open to students and recent graduates of the University of Oxford, entrants will compete for a £1,000 cash prize, as well as the all-new opportunity to premiere their work at the Spitalfields Music Festival next July.
Established in 2017 by Dr Tony Henfrey, organised by Dr Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey, and enriched by the recent partnership with Spitalfields Music, the Henfrey-Spitalfields Prize offers students a unique opportunity to collaborate with professional musicians and composers, while developing their compositional technique and artistic voice.
The 2024 Composition Prize was awarded to Leandro Landolina (2022, St John’s College) for his piece, colourweaving.
Further information is available here; but be sure to mark your calendars with the following dates:
- Sunday, 9th November 2025 – Required Workshop with Slide Action Trombone Quartet
Registration is available here - Friday, 14th November 2025 – Application Deadline
- Friday, 29th May 2026 – Public Performance & Prize Presentation
5.15pm, St Catherine’s College
This is a wonderfully unique opportunity for young composers across all subjects and courses to kickstart their professional development, and to collaborate with esteemed featured musicians. This year, we are honoured to partner with Slide Action Trombone Quartet and Toby Young (composer, adjudicator); as always, the competition is made possible by the participation of Dr Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey, Director of Performance at St Catherine’s College.
Sarah Gee, CEO of Spitalfields Music, adds: “In our 50th anniversary year, Spitalfields Music is delighted to be collaborating with St. Catherine’s College to showcase the talented composers studying at, or recently graduated from, the University. Our multi-award-winning Festival has been at the forefront of contemporary classical music for many decades, welcoming internationally renowned composers – including John Tavener, Errollyn Wallen, Iannis Xenakis, Richard Rodney Bennett, Judith Weir, and James MacMillan – alongside emerging talent. We look forward to sharing the new music made in Oxford!”
St Catherine’s College is very grateful to Dr Tony Henfrey (1963, Chemistry) for his continued generosity, and to Spitalfields Music for their recent support of the annual prize.