HCS Choral Composition Competition 2026-2027
A new season of creativity is almost here.
Stay tuned for upcoming dates and details on how to share your music with us.
Sponsored in part by: JW Pepper
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!”