HCS Choral Composition Competition 2025-2026
Sponsored in part by: JW Pepper
Houston Choral Society encourages composers of all ages, education levels, and backgrounds to apply.
2 Winners | $750 Prize for Each Winner
-
May 15: Submission portal opens
September 1: Intent to submit form deadline
October 1: Score & final materials deadline
December 1: Winner notification
-
SATB
Piano accompaniment required
3-5 minutes
Sacred or Secular
Open to US Residents Only
Houston Choral Society’s Choral Composition Competition was created to promote new choral music and to invite aspiring composers to create new choral repertoire.
The competition will be adjudicated by a specially convened panel.
Compositions should be newly composed and unpublished in both print and audio file format and no video performances posted on the internet, so that HCS gets Premiere Privileges. No entries older than January 1, 2024.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTICIPATE?
-
STEP 1
READ COMPETITION GUIDELINES FOR FULL DETAILS.
-
STEP 2
COMPLETE AN “INTENT TO SUBMIT” FORM NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2025
After your Entry Fee and Information is collected, you'll receive a link to your submission folder and full instructions.
-
STEP 3
REVIEW THE SUBMISSION CHECKLIST AND START UPLOADING YOUR ITEMS
-
STEP 4
NOTIFY US AT CONTEST@HOUSTONCHORAL.ORG WHEN YOUR SUBMISSION IS COMPLETE AND FINAL NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 1ST, 2025
HCS Choral Composition Winners
Hall of Fame
HCS Choral Composition Competition 2025/2026 Winners
“Red River Valley” by Zachary Doyle from Louisville, KY
Zachary Doyle is a music educator, vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter based in Louisville, Kentucky. He holds a degree in Music Education from Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky, with additional graduate coursework at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. As an educator, his ensembles have appeared on some of the most prestigious stages in the United States, including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
“The Oxen” by Robert Dierdorf from Katy, TX
Robert Dierdorf is an active accompanist, composer, church musician, and a retired High School Choir Director residing in Katy, TX. At Indiana University, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition and a Master’s in Choral conducting. His Texas All-Level Music Certificate was from the University of Texas at El Paso, and he did doctoral studies at UT Austin.
Regarding the competition, I thought that it was very well run, and the competition rules clear and sensible. I think the requirement of piano accompaniment is a good idea. It sets your competition apart, as most other competitions call for unaccompanied pieces or optional accompaniment.”
Joseph Fong
”Dormi Jesu”
2025 Winners
Naomi LaViolette
”Racing the Moon”
“I felt great about your contest procedures. Thanks again for sharing my music with your audience!”