28th annual Choral Composition Contest
WHEN: deadline March 16, 2025
To encourage young composers and keep the choral
arts vibrant, Harmonium Choral Society invites NJ high school students to
submit a new choral work to its 28th annual Choral Composition Contest.
Entrants must create an original four-part
composition setting to music a poem on the theme Dreamers choosing from
a selection of texts provided on our website at the link below. The SATB
choral piece can be in any style or genre, a cappella or with piano
accompaniment, and under 5 minutes.
Artistic Director Dr. Anne Matlack says, “As
well as including public domain poetry dreaming of a better world, we have
permission to use some poems that celebrate the immigrant experience from
students, local adults and published poets. Have a look now!”
Each entry will receive constructive feedback
from a panel of judges. The winner earns a $1,000 prize and a premiere
performance of their work by Harmonium on June 7 and 8, 2025. Over the
years, students from 40 different NJ high schools and one home-schooled student
have submitted entries. Nine juniors, two sophomores, and last year, a
freshman, won the contest.
Find contest details, registration, required
text, and tips from the judges at:
https://www.harmonium.org/choral-composition-contest .
Funding has been made possible in part by Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
MORE ABOUT HARMONIUM
CHORAL SOCIETY
One of New Jersey's leading choral arts
organizations, the 100-voice chorus is directed by Dr. Anne Matlack and based
in Morris County. Harmonium is widely recognized for its eclectic programming,
choral excellence, and community spirit. To advance the choral arts, Harmonium
has commissioned new works and has sponsored a high school composition contest
for more than twenty-five years. This innovative program won the prestigious
Chorus America Education and Outreach Award. A subset of the chorus performs in
schools and senior living facilities.
Learn more at Harmonium.org.
