In celebration of our 20th season in 2015, we at The Summer Singers put together our first Young Composers Competition. Since then, the initiative has grown and has attracted as many as 60 entries from around the world. Composers must be 25 or younger at the time of submission.

Previous winners

2015: Mary Abigail Coleman, Let’s Just Sit and Swing
2016: Michael D. Atwood, Nunc dimittis
2017: Brianna Drevlow, Eli, Eli
2018: Ilian Lundberg, The Lord is Risen
2019: Matthew Kimbley, Light of Life

submission guidelines:

1. Composer must be age 25 or younger at time of submission

2. Composition must be written for SATB a cappella choir. Works may have a maximum of 8 part divisi (SSAATTBB)

3. Maximum work length is five minutes

4. Text may be of any language. Composer must submit a statement confirming that text is from the public domain or that permission has been given from the author

5. Submit a description of the work that includes a brief performance history (if any) of the work

6. Due to COVID uncertainties, this competition is on sabbatical until further notice

In the event that two compositions are considered equally exceptional, preference will be given to a work in which TSS would premiere or give the second performance of the work and/or fits into a theme for the season.

The composer of the winning submission will receive

• a prize of $500

• Three concert performances during our season

• A professional recording of the work

• The winning composer is welcome to participate in the rehearsal process in person or via electronic communications

The Summer Singers will help promote the winning work and the composer may choose to have a perusal copy of the winning submission posted on our website.  The Summer Singers will have a perpetual license to perform and record the winning work for archival and other purposes, including CD distribution and other methods of dissemination.