Cantate’s Fifteenth Biennial Young Composers Competition

$1,500 CASH PRIZE COMMISSION

As part of its commitment to innovative programming and creative educational outreach that promotes young artists, Cantate announces its fifteenth biennial Young Composers Competition.

2025 COMPETITION GUIDELINES

• The competition is limited to residents of the United States and Canada not older than 35 years on June 30, 2025 (born after June 30, 1989)
• All submissions must include a sample composition and be made through our application portal or by PDF submitted to exec@cantate.org. Only one submission will be accepted per composer. Entries must be clearly identified as to title and source of text. The composer’s name must not appear on the score. A pseudonym shall be clearly printed on the manuscript and on the application form. Compositions are to remain anonymous to the judges.
• The sample composition shall be scored for SATB chorus, 4- to 8-part, a cappella or with keyboard accompaniment. Newly composed works or works composed within the past five years are welcome.
• Additional sample compositions may be requested by the judges.
• Please do not send recordings or MIDI realizations.
• The winner of the competition will receive a $1,500 commission to compose an original SATB piece of approximately five minutes in length to text selected by the Artistic Director. Cantate claims the right to the premiere of this piece.
• Performance of the commissioned piece is anticipated in the spring of the 2025-2026 season; however, Cantate reserves the right to award the prize without performance. It also reserves the right to make no award if, in the opinion of the judges, the compositions submitted do not meet standards of excellence.

DEADLINES

• Applications and sample compositions (in PDF form) may be submitted by Google Form or by email and received no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT, May 15, 2025.
• A winner will be announced no later than July 1, 2025.
• The final score of the winner’s commissioned composition will be due by November 30, 2025. The $1,500 commission will be paid upon receipt of the final score.

For more information, contact exec@cantate.org.

CANTATE Chamber Singers and Concert Choir attract many of the Washington, D.C., area’s finest choral musicians, selected annually by audition. CANTATE performs a broad range of great Western choral literature spanning the past five centuries and is recognized for championing neglected masterpieces and premiering newly commissioned works. Its virtuoso performances, often featuring acclaimed guest artists, are offered in a variety of venues throughout our region to create the greatest possible access and intimacy between performers and audience.