2025 WINNERS CONCERT: The Robert Avalon Competition for Composers

The concert showcasing winners of the Robert Avalon International Competition for Composers, presented by FMM

Foundation for Modern Music presents

Winners of the Robert Avalon International Composers Competition- 2025 Concert

The annual Avalon International Competition for Composers celebrates new, exciting, and highly original contemporary music rooted in the classical tradition by both young and more established composers.

The competition concert showcases the stellar quality of Houston performing artists and ensembles who relish the challenge of learning and presenting works of great difficulty.

Through the competition, the Foundation for Modern Music honors its late artistic director, Robert Avalon (1955 - 2004), who helped develop and initiate several important new projects for the foundation - including this competition for composers.

In the program:

Zachary Lew “Second Movement” (1st prize, High School Division)

Brannon Warn-Johnston “Stages of Inspiration” (2nd prize, High School Division)

Damilola Odebiyi EMI MA LEJO (I Can Dance) (1st prize, University/Emerging Artist Division)

Emily Zhang (2nd prize, University/Emerging Artist Division)

HyunJoo Byon “ARARI” (1st prize, Professional Division)

Mark Kilstofte “Little White Album” (2nd prize, Professional Division).

Also featuring works by Judges: Todd Frazier and Samuel Zyman.

Performed by members of the Houston Symphony and the Avalon Ensemble