ANNOUNCING THE 3rd BIENNIAL
​EMERGING CHORAL COMPOSER COMPETITION

Plano Civic Chorus, under the artistic direction of Dr. Allen Hightower, invites composers aged thirty (30) and under, and who are residents of the State of Texas (or enrolled in a college or university located in Texas) to enter its third biennial Emerging Choral Composer Competition. Created in 2022, this competition was begun as a way to spark the imagination and creativity of new and emerging choral composers, and encourage a new generation of composers to contribute meaningful works to the choral arts. The winning entry of the competition will receive a $1,500 cash award plus reimbursed travel expenses of up to $500 to attend the premiere of his/her composition on May 1, 2027. Entry deadline is December 15, 2026.

Contest Eligibility Criteria

• Age thirty (30) or under (date of birth on or after January 1, 1996);
• A resident of the state of Texas or enrolled in a college or university located in Texas;
• Contest intended for new and emerging artists. Published composers may also apply.

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Choral Composition Standards

• Original SATB work (up to 8-part divisi), no more than 5 minutes in length
• A cappella or piano accompaniment with option of including one additional instrument 
• A cappella submissions must include piano reduction
• Text must address this year's theme, "Psalms"
  
• Texts may be sacred or secular 
  
• Texts may be in any language; however, if not in English, a translation must be provided
  
• Text must be original, public domain, or accompanied by a letter of permission from copyright owner.
• No previously commissioned, published or performed works should be submitted

About the Winning Composition

• Composers will retain the copyright of their compositions
• Plano Civic Chorus reserves the right to the first public/private performance of the piece
• Winning work should include a dedication to Plano Civic Chorus honoring their 54th Season

Notifications

• The winning composer will be notified via email on or before February 28, 2026
  
• All applicants will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and notification when the winner will be announced
  
• Payment of the prize will be issued on the performance date. Travel reimbursement (up to $500) will be issued within two weeks of receipt of approved receipt

Disqualification

• Compositions that do not meet the stated choral composition standards
  
• Entries received after the deadline
  
• Incomplete entries

How to Enter 

• All entries must be submitted through this online form
• A composer may submit more than one composition, but a separate form is required for each entry
• Complete the online registration form then upload a PDF of the score
• Confirm that the composers name and other identifiers do not appear on the score