A Carol for Christmas Competition

It may still be the summer (after a fashion!) but King’s College, Cambridge and The King’s Singers Foundation are offering composers of all ages across the UK the opportunity to showcase their talent in a special festive composition competition.

On offer is the chance for the winners of each category to have their carol performed at King’s College, Cambridge. And that’s not all – winning entries will also be published by the Music Sales Group, be recorded for Classic FM and be awarded a cash prize of £250.

The competition is split into four categories, one of which gives the opportunity to write for the internationally acclaimed a cappella ensemble, The King’s Singers. Composers are invited to submit their carol in one of the following categories:

• Un-auditioned community choir: Written in unison or as a two-part (Soprano –Alto) setting. Open to submissions from composers of all ages. Compositions can be submitted with or without keyboard accompaniment. 

• SATB choir (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) composers – under 18. Open to submissions from composers aged 18 or under on August 31, 2012. Compositions can be submitted with or without keyboard accompaniment. 

• SATB choir (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) composers – over 18. Open to submissions from composers aged 19 or over on August 31, 2012. Compositions can be submitted with or without keyboard accompaniment. 

• A carol for The King’s Singers. Compositions must be a cappella and written in 16 parts (AATBarBarB). Open to submissions from composers of all ages.

The competition will be judged by Stephen Cleobury CBE, John Rutter CBE and David Hurley. The closing date for entries is August 31, 2012.

The winning entries will be rehearsed in a workshop environment in the King's College Chapel on December 18 with the participation of Stephen Cleobury, John Rutter and The King's Singers. The winning carols will be performed by numerous choirs from across the UK and conducted by Stephen Cleobury.

The King' Singers will also premier the winning six-part a cappella composition.

For full details of how to enter, terms and conditions and more information about the competition or The King’s Singers, please see the A Carol for Christmas website.