Christmas Carol Competition Information

Printable Competition Information and Application Form pdf

The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay is proud to announce their inaugural Annual Christmas Carol Competition. 

Instrumentation for 2008 Competition: choral, piano and one other instrument  

Voicing: SATB, 160-voice auditioned chorus; medium to difficult level

Text: sacred or secular, medieval to present, appropriate for concert setting; proof of public domain or author's written permission for use of text is required. (please note: most modern translations of the Bible are protected by copyright)  

Duration: 5-10 minutes

Prize: $750 will be awarded to the composer of the winning composition

Performance: The winning composition will be premiered in Tampa on December 5 & 6, 2008 as part of the Christmas with The Master Chorale concerts. If possible, the winner of the contest shall arrange to be present at the premiere. Additionally, Master Chorale reserves the right to the premiere commercial recording of the winner.

Originality: The work must be an original unpublished composition with no prior public performances. Arrangements of compositions that have received a public performance will not be accepted. Any public performance before December 5th, 2008, whether it is by students, faculty, amateurs, professionals (paid or unpaid), and whether it was in a private, public, or academic venue, disqualifies the composition from the competition. A 'public performance' also includes formally attended public reading sessions, broadcast, or any recording that has been commercially released.

Deadline: Scores and application materials must be received on or before October 1, 2008. Results will be announced on November 1, 2008. The winner of the Christmas Carol Competition shall provide parts on or before November 10, 2008.

Age restriction: The competition is open to any United States resident, age 18 and above.

How to apply: All scores & recordings must be anonymous and marked only with a pseudonym of the composer's choice. Materials that have not had all identifiable markings removed will not be accepted. The composer's pseudonym and the title of the composition must be marked on each score and recording.

Submit:
1) Three copies of full score
2) Recordings will be accepted, but are not required (send either MIDI or rehearsal recordings, but in the format of audio CD only - no cassettes, mp3s, or data discs)
3) A copy of driver’s license or passport
4) The application form (Competition Info and Application pdf)
5) Document giving permission or status for use of text

Mail materials to this address:

The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay
Attn: Christmas Carol Competition
30382 USF Holly Drive
Tampa, FL 33620-3038