Plano Civic Chorus
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Zachary J. Moore named as winner of PCC's inaugural Emerging Choral Composer Competition 
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Last year, the Plano Civic Chorus announced the launch of its first ever Emerging Choral Composer Competition, designed to promote the choral music of Texas-based up-and-coming composers. At the 'Tis The Season Holiday Concert on December 9th, the winner of PCC's inaugural Emerging Choral Composer Competition was announced. We would like to congratulate Zachary J. Moore as the winner of our competition with his piece, “My Heart’s in Highlands.” Zachary, who is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Composition at Stephen F. Austin State University, wins our grand prize of $1500 and his piece will be featured at our upcoming Elements of Love concerts, scheduled for March 3-5, 2023. Our judges also selected two honorable mentions: Patrick Vu for his piece “The Cloths of Heaven,” and Carlos Cordero for his piece “Eschucha tu voz.” Both Patrick and Carlos will receive $500 as part of this distinction. 
We are excited to promote Zachary’s piece and the Plano Chamber Chorus looks forward to preparing its first performance. He plans to be in attendance at our March concerts, and we hope that you all will join us then to hear his beautiful work and congratulate him on his great accomplishment! Please read below for more information on our Winner!
Zachary J. Moore (b. 1992) is an American composer, conductor, and speaker. Combining his interests in film, classical music, and film scoring, Zach strives to tell meaningful stories through his music that will captivate, transform, and transport listeners. 

Over the last decade Zach has completed over 30 commissions for high school to professional level choirs including Luther College (2022), The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire (2020), and Lawrence University (2019). Zach's choral works have been performed internationally in prominent locations including Carnegie Hall, The Taipei National Concert Hall, and Saint Patrick's Cathedral NY. Beyond choral music, Zach has completed numerous film scores one of which, Vertical Freedom (2022), is featured on prominent streaming platforms including “Amazon Prime Video”, “Apple TV,” and “Vudu.” 

Throughout his career Zach has received distinguished awards including third place in both the American Prize National Competition (2014) and the Marvin Hamlisch International Film Scoring Contest (2018). More recently, Zach took first place in the Plano Civic Chorale Emerging Choral Composer Contest (2022). 

In 2015 Zach graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Currently, he is pursuing a master’s degree in composition at Stephen F. Austin State University and studies under Dr. Stephen Lias. Additionally, Zach has received master classes and guidance from some of the world’s leading choral composers including Eric Barnum, Dan Forrest, Ola Gjeilo, Timothy Takach, and Jake Runestad.

For more information please visit: zacharyjmoore.com ​

HONORABLE MENTION
PATRIC VU 
Patrick Vu (b. 1998) is an award-winning composer from Allen, Texas whose music has quickly gained increasing attention in the United States. Even in his short career, he has received commissions and performances from professional organizations including VocalEssence, Dallas Chamber Choir, Chorus Austin, Fort Worth Opera, the Savannah VOICE Festival, the Lubbock Chorale. In the 2022-2023 season, his music will be performed at the TMEA, ACDA, and SCI conferences. While Patrick remains mostly self-published, his choral music is published by Gentry, Hinshaw, and Alliance. Currently, Patrick is pursuing his MM in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University under Dr. Alan Zabriskie. In May 2022, Patrick graduated with a BM in Music Composition and a BME Vocal Music Education from Texas Christian University where he studied conducting with Dr. Christopher Aspaas.
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CARLOS CORDERO
Hola, People! My name is Carlos (Cordero). I give [great] hugs, write choral music and words, and advocate for new choral music  Yes, I have won awards, yet, that is secondary to the meaningful connections I continue to make in the choral hive. I called my brand “The Happy Choir,” where I share my music, texts, and stories. I am the founder of the New Choral Music Society, a non-profit that advocates for opportunities for new choral music composers. I was born in 1992 in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and moved to Houston to get an MM in Music Composition at the University of Houston where I studied with Dr. David Ashley White and sang under the direction of Dr. Betsy Cook Weber.
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Plano Civic Chorus, under the artistic direction of Ralph Stannard, is pleased to announce its inaugural Emerging Choral Composer Competition. The purpose of the Emerging Choral Composer Competition is 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.

​PCC 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 inaugural Emerging Choral Composer Competition. The winning entry of the 2022 competition will receive a $1,500 cash award plus reimbursed travel expenses of up to $500.00 to attend the premiere of his/her composition in March of 2023. Entry deadline is August 31, 2022. 

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VICTOR C. JOHNSON
A prolific composer and arranger, Victor has over 350 choral works, vocal solo books, and keyboard collections currently in print, and is the School Choral Editor for SING!, the educational publishing division of Choristers Guild. Victor is in demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for music educators and students throughout the United States. His own choirs have performed at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in 2011 and 2014 as well as the American Choral Directors Association- Southwest Division conference in March, 2016. Victor currently serves as Minister of Worship and Arts at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, a position he has held since 2007.

​NORA HENSON
Nora Henson has been a music educator in Texas for over 40 years. She conducted the Youth Chorus of the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas from its inception in 2004 until 2022. For 27 years, Ms. Henson taught choral music to middle school and high school students in Texas public schools. Choirs under her direction were invited to perform for the American Choral Directors Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the National Organization of American Kodály Educators. She serves as clinician and consultant for music teachers, conductors, and singers. She currently is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Music Education and Coordinator of Music Student Teachers at the Meadows School of the Arts of Southern Methodist University. Ms. Henson received the 2013 Choral Excellence Award and the 2019 Texas Choir Master Award from the Texas Choral Directors Association.

RALPH F. STANNARD
Ralph Stannard is the Artistic Director and Conductor for Plano Civic Chorus, and has held that position since 2000. During his time as artistic director, Plano Civic Chorus has grown into one of the premiere choral organizations in North Texas, known for its innovative programming and masterwork performances. He also serves as the Music Director of First Presbyterian Church of Richardson. Mr. Stannard is a member of The Texas Choral Directors Association, The American Choral Directors Association, and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. His full biography can be found HERE.

​CONTEST GUIDELINES
 
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​Eligibility
  • Contest intended for new and emerging artists. Published composers may also apply.
  • Applicant must be age 30 or younger. (Birthday must be on or after January 1, 1992)
  • Open to Texas Residents or students enrolled at a university or college in Texas. 

How to enter a work for the 2022 competition:
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  • All entries will be submitted through an online form. Form can be found at www.planocivicchorus.org/composercompetition beginning December 15, 2021.
  • A composer may submit more than one composition, but a separate form is required for each entry. 
  • Complete the online registration form and upload PDF of score.
  • Ensure that the composer’s name, or other identifiers do not appear on the score.
  • The deadline for entry is August 31, 2022.
  • No application fee is required.

Choral Composition Standards:
  • The composition must be an original SATB work (up to 8-part divisi,) no more than 5 minutes in length, a cappella or piano accompaniment with optional inclusion of 1-2 instruments.
  • Text must address this year’s theme, “Elements of Love.”
  • Texts may be sacred or secular, and can be in any language, but a translation must be provided. 
  • The text must be either original, known to be in public domain, or be accompanied by a letter of permission from copyright owner.
  • No submissions may have been previously commissioned, published or performed.
  • Arrangements of previously composed works are not acceptable.
  • A cappella submissions must include piano reduction.
  • Composers will retain the copyright of their compositions.
  • PCC reserves the right for the first public/private performance of the piece.
  • Winning composition should have a dedication to PCC honoring their 50th.

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

Notifications:
  • The winning composer will be notified via email on or before December 1, 2022.
  • All applicants will receive acknowledgment when submission is received by the selection committee, as well as notification of when the winner will be announced.
  • A public announcement of the winner will be made at the PCC concert in December 2022.
  • Payment of the prize will be issued on the performance date. Travel reimbursement will be issued within two weeks of submission of receipts and will cover up to $500 of approved travel expenses.
  • The winning composition will be premiered by the Plano Chamber Chorus at their concert in February/March 2023 (concert dates forthcoming.)

For questions or inquiries, email ECC_Competition@planocivicchorus.org
click here to print contest guidelines
Plano Civic Chorus 
P.O. Box 864411
Plano, Texas 75086
Info@planocivicchorus.org
​972-606-5220
  • Home
  • About
    • Plano Civic Chorus
    • Plano Chamber Chorus
    • Artistic Team >
      • Artistic Director
      • Collaborative Pianist
      • Composer-in-Residence
  • 50th Season
  • Tickets
  • Support
    • Support PCC
    • Sponsors
    • Outreach
  • Composer Competition
  • Members
  • Program Ads
  • Scholarship
  • Auditions