The Chesapeake Chorale’s Emerging Composer Competition
Thank you for your interest in the Chesapeake Chorale’s Emerging Composer Competition!
Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate music degree program or post-secondary music conservatory program
Please review the following requirements for the piece you submit:
When submitting your piece:
Thank you for your interest in the Chesapeake Chorale’s Emerging Composer Competition!
Award: $1,000
- Honorable Mentions may also be awarded
- All contestants will receive written feedback from the adjudication panel, who will include: Artistic Director and Assistant Director/Accompanist of the Chesapeake Chorale; CEO of music publishing company, emeritus composition faculty member, and published American composer.
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate music degree program or post-secondary music conservatory program
Please review the following requirements for the piece you submit:
- Voicing and Instrumentation: SATB (with minimal divisi) for chamber chorus with piano or organ accompaniment or a capella – accompaniment preferred
- Performance Length: 2:30 to 5 minutes
- Language: All are considered; Non-English texts other than Latin, German, French, Italian, and Spanish) must be accompanied by a pronunciation guide (IPA preferred); All non-English texts should include literal and interpretive translations
- Theme: Sacred and Secular themes will be considered
- Text: Public domain or self-composed; any other texts must be accompanied with proof of rights secured
- Propriety: Our intention is that music and lyrics will be written by a single applicant. If more than one individual is involved, then documentation of the responsibilities of all individuals needs to be included in the application
When submitting your piece:
- Use postal mail to submit the following to the Chesapeake Chorale (P.O. Box 1037, Bowie, MD, 20718):
- A single copy of the score with SATB vocal parts and accompaniment if applicable
- A piano reduction of vocal parts
- Application Fee: A check made payable to the Chesapeake Chorale for $25
- Email to the Chesapeake Chorale (info@chesapeakechorale.org):
- Completed Application**
- A PDF score with SATB vocal parts and accompaniment if applicable
- A PDF piano reduction of vocal parts
- A MIDI file of the piece
- Optional: Audio recording of a vocal line with accompaniment
- All submitted materials become the property of the Chorale and will not be returned.
- Submission date is June 1st, 2019. Notification of award status by August 2019.
- The Chesapeake Chorale will retain all first-performance rights until further notice of the award-winning selection and any awarded honorable mention.
- The Chorale will release rights for submissions that were not selected.
Application Form
Please download the form below (in PDF or DOC format) and submit following the instructions above. Please remember to physically sign and date.
Please download the form below (in PDF or DOC format) and submit following the instructions above. Please remember to physically sign and date.

chesapeake_chorale_emerging_composer_competition_application.docx | |
File Size: | 119 kb |
File Type: | docx |

chesapeake_chorale_emerging_composer_competition_application_form.pdf | |
File Size: | 82 kb |
File Type: |