Chapter House Choir Carol Competition 2008
Composers with a clear and unique voice are invited to take part in the Chapter House Choir Carol Competition 2008. The winning composers in the over-21, and 21-and-under categories will hear their works performed in front of a packed audience as part of Carols by Candlelight in York Minster. The winning compositions will also be recorded as part of the choir’s latest Christmas CD and may be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Christmas Eve 2008. Banks Music Publications may consider the winning entries for future publication.

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Click the icon, left, to open a printable Entry Form (this must accompany your entry).
Chapter_House_Choir_Carol_Competition_2008_entry_form.pdf, 32
Download (32k)
Founded in 1965, The Chapter House Choir is one the UK’s leading amateur choirs. The choir’s thirty-five singers rehearse and perform in the gothic splendour of York Minster. The composer Andrew Carter was the inspiration behind the choir’s formation, so it is highly appropriate that we are inviting composers old and young, from the UK and abroad, to submit compositions to our carol-composing competition.

General
  1. The competition is open to composers of any nationality who are aged 14 or older by the entry deadline - September 15 2008.
  2. Composers may submit only one composition.
  3. A first prize will be awarded in two categories;
    1. 21-and-under age group.
    2. Over-21 age group.
  4. The adjudicators are Andrew Carter and Stephen Williams (Music Director of Chapter House Choir)
  5. The results will be announced on the Chapter House Choir website www.chapterhousechoir.org on October 15 2008.
  6. The winning compositions will be recorded by the Chapter House Choir early in 2009 and will be performed in concert on December 18, 19 & 20th 2008.
  7. The choir will assist with travel costs to the concert in York Minster for UK based competition winners.
Composition requirements
  1. The adjudicators are looking for evidence of creativity and technical skill in handling voices and vocal textures, along with insight in responding to a text.
  2. Up to 5 minutes duration
  3. Voicing: SATB with divisi possible up to eight parts. Limited solo work.
  4. A cappella only
  5. The text must reflect the theme of Christmas, even if it is not a strictly sacred text. Any language may be used. It is the responsibility of the composer to ensure that the text they use does not infringe copyright law.
  6. Original compositions, not arrangements, should be submitted.
  7. The work must be unpublished and must not have been performed or broadcast prior to January 1 2009, unless by the Chapter House Choir.
Submission
  1. Two printed copies of the score must be sent by post to:
    Edward Tilley
    Honorary Secretary
    Chapter House Choir
    19 Elmsac Road
    Helmsley
    North Yorks
    YO62 5AW
  2. Email or fax submissions will not be accepted.
  3. An English translation should be provided if necessary.
  4. Written statement of permission signed by the copyright holder if the text is under copyright protection.
  5. The composers’ name should not appear anywhere on the music. The composers’ name and contact details should appear only on the entry form.
  6. Scores will be returned if a stamped and addressed envelope is provided.


Click on the icon, left, to open a printable Entry Form (this must accompany your entry).
Chapter_House_Choir_Carol_Competition_2008_entry_form.pdf, 32
Download (32k)