NEW VOICES PROJECT FOR COMPOSERS UNDER 30

Competition Guidelines

Deadline: February 1, 2025

Eligible composers are encouraged to submit new and creative a cappella choral works that suit the theme of our June 2025 concert Welcome to the Zoo! A Musical Menagerie. Your chosen text must, in some way, deal with the theme of animals. That can include anything having to do a specific animal, a type of animal, or animals in general. Some examples from well known choral repertoire include Hindemith Six Chansons; Bassett The Blackbird's Song; Tavener The Lamb; Stanford The Bluebird; and Davies Prayers from the Ark.

Basic Requirements

1. Composer must be under age 30 as of July 1, 2025.

2. Composer is responsible for obtaining relevant rights to use copyrighted material.

3. A composer may submit only one work.

4. There is no fee to participate in the New Voices Project.

Requirements of the Work

1. The work should be 2-4 minutes in length, with the length listed on the score.

2. Preference will be given to works that have not been performed in public, other than in an informal or academic setting.

3. For SATB a cappella chamber choir. The work may include some body percussion. Any divisi must be limited to no more than 8 parts.

4. Text may include spoken word, and may be in any language. A typed copy of the full original text, with facing line-by-line English translation, must be provided. If non-standard language(s) are used, a pronunciation guide must be included.

5. Include a note with your text stating whether it is in the public domain. If texts are copyrighted, written proof of permission of use must be provided. Texts written by the composer are discouraged.

Submitting the Work

1. The score PDF should include a page containing the text

2. The score should be placed in an online location from where we can download it. The filename should contain the composer’s last name and the title, as in this example: “Hindemith Six Chansons.pdf”

3. An audio file is encouraged in addition to the score, if possible, whether a performance or an electronic rendering. The filename should contain the composer’s last name and the title, as in this example: “Hindemith Six Chansons.mp3”. Any standard audio format is acceptable.

4. Do not include a title page or other front matter. The first page of music must include composer’s name, phone number, and email address. A page containing the text or other information about the piece may be appended after the score.

5. Please fill out the form below and submit. It includes options for sharing your links to the score and audio files. If you are unable to provide these links, please write to composers@sfca.org. No one is excluded for not being able to meet this requirement.

Incomplete submissions will NOT be considered.

Winners

Up to three winners will be selected. The first-prize winner will receive $500*. All composer(s) and work(s) selected for participation in this program will receive the following:

1. The selected work(s) will be premiered by SFCA at concerts in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Oakland, California, on June 8, 14, and 15, 2025.

2. Communication by phone or email with SFCA’s Artistic Director, Magen Solomon (before and/or during rehearsals) on any aspect of the work’s notation, vocal issues, interpretation, and performance.

3. Two complimentary tickets for each performance of the work.

4. A professional-quality recording of one performance of the work.

The winning composer is not required to travel to the Bay Area to attend concerts in person. We regret that no travel funds are available.

*SFCA reserves the right to divide the prize money between two winners in the case of a tie.

Please feel free to share this opportunity!

Questions: composers@sfca.org