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Annual Choral Composition Contest

The Huntsville Master Chorale is a long-standing, dynamic performing chamber choir that fosters
creativity by keeping excellent choral singing alive in North Alabama. The Huntsville Master
Chorale nurtures renowned and emerging composers by commissioning and performing new
works while continuing to perform a variety of classic choral literature. Above all, our overarching
mission is to keep the art of singing fresh for our audiences!

Each year, The Huntsville Master Chorale sponsors a choral composition contest with a cash prize and the opportunity to
have the winning work performed by The Chorale in concert.

Previous winners have included:

2020 - Three Songs of Spring by Timothy Smith

2019 - Ignition by Evelyn Pursley-Kopitzke

2018 - April by Andrew Marshall

Criteria

Contest Theme for 2020-2021:  UNITY AND PEACE

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Level:

The winning composition must be at a technical level that makes performance possible by a volunteer adult
choir of 30 voices.
Original compositions only (no arrangements of works by other composers).

Voicing:

SATB (Sopranos C4-G5, Altos G3-D5, Tenors C3-F4, Basses G2-D4) Moderate divisi will be allowed.
Moderate tessitura and harmonic language for all parts.
Due to the intention of performing the winning work, these criteria will be very important in the judging process.

Text:

The composer will choose the text, either sacred or secular, based on the theme UNITY
theme UNITY AND PEACE.
Text should be Public Domain or the composer’s own creation. The text should be accompanied by
documentation clearly con rming that the composer has secured permission to set it to music and to present it
in public performances. (Any costs related to securing said permission are solely the responsibility of the
composer.)
English is preferred, but pieces that use other languages will be considered.

Accompaniment and Length:

A capella and/or accompaniment by piano, string quartet up to chamber orchestra, or solo instrument
At least 3 minutes but not more than 10 minutes

DEADLINE EXTENDED - Submissions will now be received through January 31, 2021

Compositions need not be newly created for this competition; however, all submissions must not have been
previously adjudicated or performed in public. The Huntsville Master Chorale will make the world premiere
performance of the winning entry.
Electronic submissions (PDF) are strongly preferred, using the email address below. Scores submitted in hard
copy will only be returned if they are accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Scores must be clear and ready for duplication and performance, using one of the standard music printing
programs (Finale, Sibelius, etc.)
If composers submit their work written by hand, this should be clearly legible and neat.
A completed copy of the form below must accompany each submission. Please remove all identifying marks for
submitted scores as the judging will be conducted anonymously.
Entries using copyrighted lyrics must include written permission to use the lyrics.
No more than two compositions will be accepted from a single composer.
The names of all participants will be held in con dence.

Evaluation:

A panel comprised of three guest judges and the Chorale’s Artistic Director will review all submissions and select the
winning composition. This evaluation will consider the quality of the piece and its suitability for a successful
performance by The Chorale. The winning piece and composer will be announced by email and social media

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platforms on March 1, 2021. The decision of the judging is nal. Should the compositions submitted not meet the
standards set forth, the Huntsville Master Chorale reserves the right to withhold the award.

Copyrights:

The Huntsville Master Chorale shall retain unlimited performance and mechanical rights to performances and
recordings made by the Huntsville Master Chorale. The composer shall retain all other copy, performance, and
mechanical rights to their works.

Award: $1000

By accepting the cash award, the winner grants performance and recording rights to the Huntsville Master Chorale.

Submit PDF scores to:  HsvMasterChorale@gmail.com (mailto:HsvMasterChorale@gmail.com)

Submit printed scores by mail to:

Huntsville Master Chorale

Attn: HMC Choral Competition
P.O. Box 1774
Huntsville, AL 35807

Click Here for the Contest Submission Form (/news/composition-contest/choral-composition-entry-form)

 Further Questions?  Contact us at

www.HsvMasterChorale.org (http://www.HsvMasterChorale.org)

HsvMasterChorale@gmail.com (mailto:HsvMasterChorale@gmail.com)

Dr. Patricia Ramirez Hacker, Artistic Director

               

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 The Huntsville Master Chorale
PO Box 1774 | Huntsville, AL 35807
hsvmasterchorale@gmail.com
(mailto:hsvmasterchorale@gmail.com)
(https://www.facebook.com/HSVMasterChorale)
 

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