2026 Competition

Chorus Austin's Annual Composers Competition

2 Divisions: Young Composers & All Ages!

The 12th Annual Chorus Austin Composers Competition is now open for submission!

Composers of either division may submit their pieces for consideration here.‍ ‍See below for more competition details.

Winners for this year should be announced in late Summer of 2026, with pieces performed at Chorus Austin's Fall 2026 Concert, Journeys, presented by our Chamber Ensemble.

If you wish to be notified of future competition dates, please join our email newsletter.

For questions or more information about this or any future Composers Competition, please email composerscompetition@chorusaustin.org

Competition Requirements

Composer Requirements:

• Each division is open to composers of any nationality.

• Composer must be no more than 30 years old at submission deadline to submit in the Young Composers division. Composers of any age may submit to the All Ages division.

• Previous winners, as well as composers directly related to board and staff of Chorus Austin, are not eligible to participate.

• Composers may apply to only one division.

• Composers may submit up to two (2) entries in the selected category (Young or All Ages). Score must be clear, legible, anonymous, and in PDF form from a notation software (Dorico, Sibelius, etc.)

Piece Requirements: 

• Chorus Austin is thrilled to announce our 12th annual Composer’s Competition. This year, we are welcoming submissions for pieces that will fit into our Fall 2026 Concert, Journeys, presented by our chamber ensemble. Pieces should fit into one or more of the following themes:

  The journey begins

  Journeying together

  Journey into nature

  Journey into darkness

  A heart’s journey

  The journey home

  Submitted pieces may be sacred or secular, and should be no longer than five minutes in duration. Pieces may be for any combination or subset of mixed voices: SSA, SSAA, SATB (with or without divisi) TTB, TTBB, and may be a cappella or with piano accompaniment. If submitting an a cappella score, please include a piano reduction.

  There are two divisions of the competition: our Young Composer Division is for composers who are under 30 years old as of the contest deadline, and our All Ages Division. The winner of each division will receive a cash prize and a live recording of their composition.

  Submissions must be received by 11:59pm CST on June 30th, 2026, to be considered, and winners will be announced in late summer of 2026. More information can be found at chorusaustin.org, or by emailing composerscompetition@chorusaustin.org

• Written for Chamber Ensemble (approx. 32 voices)

• 5 minutes or less

• A capella or accompanied by piano (if a capella, piece must include a piano reduction)

• Can be multi-movements, or part of a larger piece

• Text must be in public domain or if copyrighted, the composer must show proof of permission to submit the piece.

• Texts other than English must be accompanied by a translation.

• Score must be legible and created with an engraving software

• Score must be clear, legible, anonymous, and in PDF form from a notation software (Dorico, Sibelius, etc.)

• Remove all names and identifying marks from anywhere in the score.

Submission and Selection Timeline 

• Submissions will be accepted through digital submission between June 1st and June 30th, 2026 at 11:59pm CST.

• Winners will be selected by late summer of 2026.

• Winning pieces will be performed at Chorus Austin's Fall 2026 Concert, Journeys, presented by our chamber ensemble.

Prizes:

• Two winners will be selected from the pool of applicants from EACH division: a first-place winner and a runner-up

• Honorable mention(s) may be chosen, number to vary based on judging panel scores

• First place winner will receive:

  • $1250 cash prize

  • Two (2) complimentary tickets to each performance, if held live

  • Live recording of the performance of the composition

  • $250 Travel Reimbursement to attend the premiere performance, if held live (winner is not required to attend)

  • Opportunity to work with Maestro Ryan Heller and Chorus Austin Chamber Ensemble at a scheduled rehearsal before the concert(s), either in person or virtually

• Runner-up will receive:

  • $500 cash prize

  • Possible performance and/or recording of the composition​

  • Piece may or may not be performed live by Chorus Austin. If performed, runner-up will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to each performance (if held live) and a live recording of the performance of the composition.

• Honorable Mention(s) will receive:

  • Possible performance and/or recording of the composition

Submit your composition for either division here!