Third edition of the Sona UB music competition
Entries are now open for the third edition of the Sona UB music competition, through which the University of Barcelona promotes musical talent within its community. Groups and artists from the UB community (students, technical, management, and administrative and service staff, research and teaching staff, and premium members of Alumni UB) may enter the competition, provided they have original compositions of their own creation lasting at least 30 minutes, regardless of whether they have released any albums. Only one musical entry per group is permitted.
Entries are now open for the third edition of the Sona UB music competition, through which the University of Barcelona promotes musical talent within its community. Groups and artists from the UB community (students, technical, management, and administrative and service staff, research and teaching staff, and premium members of Alumni UB) may enter the competition, provided they have original compositions of their own creation lasting at least 30 minutes, regardless of whether they have released any albums. Only one musical entry per group is permitted.
The call for entries has been published on the competition website. The submission period runs from 8 April to 10 May. A judging panel comprising specialists and leading figures from the arts and music sectors will select 10 finalists, taking into account the originality of the musical compositions, the exploration of new formats, the expressiveness and originality of the lyrics, the ability to communicate and connect with the audience, and the use of the Catalan language. The members of the panel are:
- Magda Polo, professor of Music and Aesthetics in the Department of Art History, and editor of the indexed journal Matèria.
- Pol Segarra, a graduate in Communication and Cultural Industries from the UB, and currently head of the Music Department at TRESC.
- Marta Mei, a graduate in Audiovisual Communication and a postgraduate in Business Management in the Music Industry.
- Mercè Borràs, coordinator of the Catalan Academy of Music.
- Manel Font, director of the talent agency Acord Management.
- Nina Barceló, winner of the 2025 Sona UB, having received the most votes in the public vote.
The shortlisted proposals will be put to a public vote: members of the UB community will be able to vote from 1 to 9 June.
The winners will be announced on 10 June and will perform as guest artists at the 2026 Els Vespres d’Estiu concerts on 7, 9, 14 and 16 July. The prize also includes a promotional photo shoot for the concert, a voucher for UB merchandise worth €50, and a series of musical training sessions and activities aimed at promoting the groups’ musical careers, organized by TRESC, the producer of Els Vespres d’Estiu. These sessions will include artistic and technical advice, as well as strategic and promotional support.