[2][4] The brief for the inaugural competition was "to find new and original works for symphony orchestra with artistic integrity with the potential for broad and lasting appeal".

[1] Additional specifications were that the compositional entry should be of a duration of 8 to 12 minutes and that composers could be of any age or nationality.

[6] For the 2001 competition, the submitted works had to have been scored for orchestral forces of between 50 and 90 players and have a duration of between 6 and 15 minutes.

[9] The final round of the competition was held at the Barbican on 7 April 1998[1] where the London Symphony Orchestra under Daniel Harding performed the six finalist works in full.

[10] The gala concert was attended by Cherie Blair who presented the winning composers with their prizes.