Call for submissions: 2023 New Works Rising choral composition competition

The competition is open to composers of all ages and nationalities to submit innovative and accessible choral repertoire for boys and young men that reflects originality, imagination and creativity in the context of its 2023 and 24 season theme, The Future Beckons.

Competition guidelines

• This competition is open to US and international residents of all ages.
• Available cash awards are $1 500 for first place, $1 000 for second place and $500 for third place. All awards are in US dollars.
• Entries should relate to the Phoenix Boys Choir’s 2023 and 2024 season theme: The Future Beckons.
• All entries must be received by 10pm (PDT) on 1 September. There is no fee for entry. This competition has also been designed to eliminate any need for composers to incur duplication, mailing or other costs.
• Voicing and length: Entries shall be scored for boys’ choir with mixed voices (SSA, SATB, SA and variations thereof are acceptable), and may be either accompanied or a cappella. Works should be suitable for performance by 15-40 voices (with or without divisi). Compositions must not exceed 10 minutes in duration. Any style or genre of music is permitted, i.e., works need not be considered classical. Jazz, gospel, spirituals, pop, rock, world, crossover works, etc are all welcome and encouraged.
• The composition may feature instrumental forces, with the understanding that the primary focus of the work should be the voices. The total number of the added instruments should be no more than five. Any instrumentation should enrich the texture of the music and not merely double the voices.
• The composition should be of medium to complex difficulty. The inclusion of optional choreography and eurythmic elements is acceptable.
• Entries must be original musical compositions, not arrangements of pre-existing works.
• The text of the composition may be either original or from sacred or secular sources in any world language. A translation of non-English texts must be submitted. The use of public domain or original texts is encouraged.
• Texts first published in 1928 or later are usually copyrighted, except for certain exceptions like U.S. Government works. Compositions using copyrighted texts must be accompanied by: (a) proof of the composer’s right to use and/or distribute the text for the submitted work, and (b) proof of any other relevant information regarding The Phoenix Boys Choir’s ability to license the text for a first commercial recording of the work. (Any costs related to securing copyright permissions are solely the responsibility of the composer).
• The Phoenix Boys Choir claims the right of first performance of all winning entries. Therefore, compositions must be new works, never before adjudicated or recorded or performed in any form in public, outside of a studio or classroom in an academic forum or workshop setting, with no public premiere intended.
• Only one work per composer will be accepted.
• The winning compositions will be selected by a panel of guest judges and The Phoenix Boys Choir artistic director. Their evaluation will consider the quality of the piece and its suitability for a successful performance by The Phoenix Boys Choir.
• Winning composers will be notified by email and winning selections announced on our social media platforms on 1 October. The Phoenix Boys Choir reserves the right to make no award if no entry is deemed to be of sufficient quality and/or suitability for our ensemble. However, it is the organisers’ good-faith intent to make at least one award. The decision of the judges is final.

Materials for submission

The following items are required with each submission:

• Score: All scores must be clearly readable and ready for duplication and performance, preferably in PDF format. Scores must be clearly identified as to title and source of text, but the composer’s name must NOT appear on the score, as the judging will be conducted anonymously.​
• Text: A standalone version of the underlying text(s) must be provided, unless the text appears in the score. An English translation of any foreign-language text must be included.
• Audio: An audio realisation of the composition must be submitted in MP3 format.

Submission process

All entries may be submitted electronically using this form on the PBC website or emailed to [email protected]. The Phoenix Boys Choir will ensure that digital files will not be shared, forwarded, or distributed beyond its membership.

Digital Files: All digital files should be named using the following format: (First three letters of composer’s last name) – (Title of Piece) – (submitted item). For example, the PDF of a score entitled “There Was Time” by John Smith would be named SMI - There Was Time - Score.pdf. An MP3 of the same work would be named SMI - There Was Time - Audio.mp3.

Digital Portfolio: All materials being submitted should be compiled into a single digital folder or ZIP file. Composers must either provide a link to the digital folder location (i.e., Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.) where requested on the submission form on the PBC New Works Rising webpage, or provide a folder link or attached ZIP file in a submission email.

​Each submitted portfolio should include the following as applicable:

• PDF of score (the composer’s name must NOT appear on the score).
• PDF of text (if not included in score).
• PDF of English translation of any foreign language text.
• If text or other quoted materials are not in the public domain, PDFs of:
  • Proof of the composer’s right to use and/or distribute the text for the submitted work.
  • Proof of other relevant information regarding The Phoenix Boys Choir’s ability to license the text for a first commercial performance and/or recording of the work (for example, information about a lyricist you have collaborated with).
• MP3 audio realisation of score.

​Adjudication copies

The Phoenix Boys Choir will produce physical copies of selected entries for adjudication purposes, potentially including a reading of finalists by the ensemble. For all entries not awarded, these copies will be collected and destroyed once the competition has concluded unless other arrangements are made with the composer.

Copyrights

The Phoenix Boys Choir shall retain unlimited performance and mechanical rights arising from performances and recordings made by The Phoenix Boys Choir. Composers shall retain all other copy, performance and mechanical rights to their works.

Submission deadline is 1 September.

View the original call here.