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We are excited to announce the 1^st ANCA Choral Composition Competition, for emerging Australian composers!

ANCA recognises that prizes for early-career composers can be rare, and we have established this competition to support our choral community. There is substantial prize money and gifts for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place in both categories.

Additionally, the first-place awardees will have their composition premiered at Choralfest 2026 by a participating choir, as well as the opportunity to publish their work with Matt Klohs Music!

Find the full Rules and Regulations below.

If you have any questions, please email the Composition Competition Leads at compositioncompetition@anca.org.au .

Composers have until December 31st, 2025 to create a new choral work and enter our competition categories of Children’s and/or Open.

Submit Your Composition

Rules and Regulations

Entrant Eligibility

• An Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• An emerging composer.
• Not a member of the Choralfest 2026 Committee.
• The competition is open to all ages.

Entry Eligibility

• Entries must be an original and unpublished work which has never been performed or submitted for a previous competition.
• Entrants must submit entries that are entirely their own. ANCA accepts no responsibility for breach of copyright.
• Composers may select or write their own text. Ensure copyright clearance or use public domain text.
• Text not in English must include IPA transcription, direct English translation, and poetic translation where appropriate.

Composition Parameters

Children’s Section

• Must be accompanied by piano.
• Maximum of two treble vocal parts.
• Maximum duration of 3.5 minutes.
• Should be suitable for choirs of unchanged voices.

Open Section

• Must be a cappella or accompanied by piano (an optional solo instrument permitted).
• Minimum of three vocal parts (recommended: SSA, SAB, TTB, SATB, SSAA, or TTBB).
• Maximum of six parts divisi (e.g. SSAATB).
• Maximum duration of 5 minutes.
• A cappella scores must include a piano reduction.

Score Preparation and Submission

• Include a foreword with program notes and notes on text and/or translation.
• Submit as a single A4 PDF file without identifying information.
• Include an MP3 audio file.
• File names should include category, title, and duration (e.g. Open_ILoveToSing_4m30s).
• One entry per person per category. No entry fee.
• Submission deadline: 31 Dec 2025 at 23:59.
• Submit via Google Form: https://forms.gle/7WHKCyzSpD7UbwyF7 .
• All scores will be anonymous for fairness of adjudication.

Copyright

• All entrants retain copyright.
• ANCA reserves the right to premiere 1st place compositions at Choralfest 2026. No performances allowed before 12 April 2026.
• Premiering choirs may produce one copy per choir member for performance preparation.
• ANCA may record and post the premiere performance on its platforms.
• ANCA may publish score excerpts in the Sing Out! Journal and share perusal scores at Chapter Reading events (2027) without remuneration.

Outcome and Awards

• Prize winners will be announced on ANCA’s website and social media in January 2026.
• Children’s section winners announced at the Opening Gala; Open section winners at the Closing Gala of Choralfest 2026.
• 1st place winners will have the opportunity to publish with Matt Klohs Music.
• 1st place Children’s entry performed at the Opening Gala; 1st place Open entry at the Closing Gala.
• Winners are encouraged to attend Choralfest 2026 in person.
• 1st place scores must note: “Winner of the 1st ANCA Choral Composition Competition.”
• ANCA reserves the right not to award a prize if the standard is unsuitable.

Adjudication

• Judges will be experienced ANCA Individual Members.
• Adjudicators’ decisions are final and feedback cannot be provided.

General

• Participation implies full knowledge and acceptance of the rules and regulations.
• Direct all queries to compositioncompetition@anca.org.au .
• ANCA reserves the right to cancel the competition at any time.