SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS ANNOUNCES
THIRD ANNUAL COMPOSITION COMPETITION
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is proud to announce the Third Annual Holiday Composition Competition. We are accepting applications from all composers anywhere in the United States. The winning composer receives a $2,000 cash prize, travel expenses for the world premiere in San Francisco, and a professional recording of the performance. With no entry fee and all composers welcome, this competition fosters creativity and supports emerging and established talent within the choral music world.
The Chorus looks forward to premiering the winner of this year’s competition at venues in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Sonoma.
The work must be:
Written for TTBB voicing, either with piano or a cappella.
5 minutes or less in length.
A text in any language, which is both seasonal for winter and secular, for which the composer has secured copyright clearance - only text setting permission necessary. If the poem is not in the public domain, the composer must be able to show proof that the proper rights from the appropriate person in control of the copyright - either the poet, the poet’s estate, or the publisher - have been secured.
Composed within the last two years.
Award
$2,000 cash prize.
Composer expenses and tickets to world premiere, December 6, 2024, at the Sydney Goldstein Theater in San Francisco.
Audio/Video recording of performance.
Entry Fee
There is no entry fee.
Eligibility
Composers of all ages are eligible to apply. The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is affirming of all identities; composers of all sexes, genders, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome to apply.
Entry Deadline
Applications open April 25, 2024 and close August 1, 2024. (Must be postmarked by August 1, 2024)
Procedure
All applications are submitted electronically via the SFGMC Composition Competition Submission Form available at this link: https://forms.gle/S6NrAjRA24rK7hEn8
All scores and any supporting text files must be submitted in PDF format. All audio files must be submitted in MP3 format. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in disqualification.
The following are required material for entry:
A PDF copy of the score. It should include:
Composition title
Poet’s name
Public domain status or person/agency granting text setting submission
Length and date of composition
An MP3 MIDI recording
COMPOSER NAME should not appear on any entry materials.
The winner will be asked to provide a short & medium-length bio and a headshot.
Questions may be directed to the Artistic Director, Jacob Stensberg, via his email: [email protected]. For more information about the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, please visit www.sfgmc.org.
A LOOK INTO PREVIOUS WINNERS
Alessio Tranchell (Winner 2023)
Conductor | Composer | Vocalist
A native of Falmouth, Massachusetts, Tranchell moved to Minnesota in 2017 to pursue work in choral conducting. Tranchell teaches courses in conducting, music history, and vocal pedagogy. Previously, Tranchell worked as an adjunct faculty at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, Crown College, and Saint Cloud State University. As a vocalist Tranchell sings locally with the Minnesota Opera Chorus, Skylark Opera, and The Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company. Click here to learn more.
Alessio Tranchell’s setting of “Where Winter Rests in Sleep”
Ryan Fielding Garrett (Winner 2022)
Composer | Music Director | Orchestrator
Ryan Fielding Garrett is a composer, music director, and orchestrator known for his work with renowned artists worldwide. He has orchestrated for musical productions and institutions such as Renée Fleming and the San Francisco Symphony, composed music for various media, and conducted several Broadway productions such as Kinky Boots and Mean Girls. Ryan has also played piano for prominent Broadway productions, including Hamilton and Wicked.
Ryan Fielding Garrett’s setting of “Snow”