Caritas International Emerging Composer Competition 2019 A competition for those who define themselves as an emerging composer Introduction
Now in its third year, this competition is proudly presented by Caritas Chamber Choir and their Music Director, Benedict Preece.
ThethemethisyearisThe Sea. This will allow composers to be creative with the text they pick, and encourage as much variation in the entries as possible.
The competition was launched on October 1st, 2018, and the closing date for entries will be March 1st, 2019. The composer of the winning entry will receive a prize of �500 and the five runners up will each receive �250.*
We’re delighted that David Conte, The Professor and Chair of Composition at San Francisco Conservatory of Music and published composer, will be returning to judge the final six compositions.
The final of the competition will take place at The Colyer-Fergusson Hall, University of Kent, Canterbury on Saturday July 13th, 2019, at 7.30pm. Caritas Chamber Choir will make a professional recording of the winning entry later in the year.
The primary objective of this competition is to raise the profile of aspiring composers of new choral music, attract interest and drive motivation from emerging composers both in the UK and abroad.
As hosts of the competition our objective is to build on the successful profile of our illustrious Music Director, Benedict Preece and to broaden the range of opportunities available to Caritas Chamber Choir and its members on the local, national and international stage.
The winner will be crowned ‘Caritas Composer of the Year 2019’.The first recipient was Sarah Cattley, and the current holder is Peter Bajetta from Italy. In this role, your music will be championed by Caritas and you will be offered commissions in your year with Caritas.
*see Terms part 2 The Invitation
You are invited to write an original composition inspired by the sea. Your work may be sacred or secular.
The competition is open to composers of any nationality who define themselves as an Emerging Composer.
The work should be scored for a minimum of four parts (SATB), or maximum eight part (SSAATTBB), with or without piano.
The work will have elements of melody, harmony and rhythm to reflect the characteristics of your text.
The work should ideally last between four and eight minutes. l The work must be an original composition, previously unperformed and unpublished.
Submissions
Scores may be handwritten or computer-set but in any case should be submitted in PDF format and suitable for performance without further typesetting. An MP3 file may also be submitted in support of your written work.
It is the responsibility of the composer to ensure the text is out of copyright. The text should be written out on a cover note. You may submit up to two works as separate entries.
If you have any questions about the rules, please contact us at [email protected] Terms and Conditions
The finalists will be notified in April 2019. The final twelve compositions will be chosen by our Music Director (Benedict Preece) and Honorary Patron (Stephen Portman). The final six will be chosen by David Conte.
In correspondence with David Conte, Caritas Chamber Choir reserves the right to withhold prizes.
The decision of the panel is final regarding all matters.
The winning entrants must grant Caritas Chamber Choir the right to perform the work(s) at no extra cost(s) and to make a professional recording of the work within a year of the final.
Past winners
2017 Sarah Cattley 2018 Peter Bajetta Sarah Cattley won the Caritas Judge Ragnar Bohlin chose Peter International Young Composer Bajetta’s Snow asthewinneroflast Competition 2017 with her brilliant year’s competition and, after and inventive setting of the announcing the winner, sat down at General Prologue to the piano to explain Peter’s piece to the Canterbury Tales the audience, analysing it and and the Pardoner’s underlining the features he own PrologueThe particularly liked. The final was Pardoner’s Song. covered by ITV News Meridian. Our judge for 2019
David Conte, composer of over one hundred works, including six operas, a musical, works for chorus, solo voice, orchestra, chamber music, organ, piano, guitar, and harp, returns as our judge for 2019.