To encourage young composers and keep the choral arts vibrant, Harmonium Choral Society invites NJ high school students to submit a new choral work to its 28th annual Choral Composition Contest by the March 16, 2025, deadline.
Entrants must create an original four-part composition setting to music a poem on the theme Dreamers choosing from a selection of texts provided on their website. The SATB choral piece can be in any style or genre, a cappella or with piano accompaniment, and under 5 minutes.
Artistic Director Dr. Anne Matlack says, “As well as including public domain poetry dreaming of a better world, we have permission to use some poems that celebrate the immigrant experience from students, local adults and published poets. Have a look now!”
Each entry will receive constructive feedback from a panel of judges. The winner earns a $1,000 prize and a premiere performance of their work by Harmonium on June 7-8, 2025. Over the years, students from 40 different NJ high schools and one home-schooled student have submitted entries. Nine juniors, two sophomores, and last year, a freshman, won the contest.
Find contest details, registration, required text, and tips from the judges here.
Funding has been made possible in part by Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
One of New Jersey's leading choral arts organizations, the 100-voice chorus is directed by Dr. Anne Matlack and based in Morris County. Harmonium Choral Society is widely recognized for its eclectic programming, choral excellence, and community spirit. To advance the choral arts, Harmonium has commissioned new works and has sponsored a high school composition contest for more than twenty-five years. This innovative program won the prestigious Chorus America Education and Outreach Award. A subset of the chorus performs in schools and senior living facilities.
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