Murat Cem Orhan’s composition “Kuyucakli Yusuf” won the 8th Dr. Nejat F. Eczacibasi National Composition Contest organised by the Izmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education (IKSEV) in memory of its founding chairman. The work takes its theme from Sabahattin Ali’s immortal novel “Kuyucakli Yusuf” and was dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the European Festivals Association (EFA) by IKSEV and its composer. In the contest that the selective committee, orchestra artists and the audience cast votes, “Kuyucakli Yusuf” ranked first with 300 points and Mesruh Savas’s composition named “Zumrud-u Anka” second with 240 points. Six works participated in [http://www.iksev.org/beste_en.php]Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı National Composition Contest which is the first and only contest in Turkey in its area; the eighth edition was opened in the genre of ballet music. The selective committee composed of Gürer Aykal, Selman Ada, Rengim Gökmen, Turgay Erdener and Hasan Uçarsu selected the compositions of Murat Cem Orhan and Mesruh Savaş as finalists. With the cooperation of the Izmir State Opera and Ballet, the İZDOB Orchestra under the baton of Conductor Tulio Gagliardo Varas performed the two works. In the Final Concert, choreographers Mehmet Balkan and Uğur Seyrek also joined the selective committee. In accordance with the tradition of the contest, the works were recorded in their first performances. Also, their choreographies will be made during the year and both works will be included in the repertoire of the State Opera and Ballet.