CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
AURORA CHOIR CAROL COMPETITION 2025
The Aurora Choir invites submissions from emerging and early career composers to their inaugural 2025 carol composition competition. Composers are invited to send in carols that relate to Aurora Choir’s 2025 Christmas concert theme, ‘A Season of Hope throughout the Ages’. The selected work will be premiered in the Aurora Choir’s 2025 Christmas concert in St Andrew’s Church, Southgate on the 20th of December. Information on submission, access requirements, and the Aurora Choir is provided below.
Submission Requirements
Composers should submit a score (in PDF format) of a carol for Choir and Piano which responds to the theme ‘A Season of Hope throughout the Ages’. Choir divisions up to SSAATTBB, and solos in any part, are permissible but not mandatory. Works do not have to have been written for this call, but cannot have been performed before. Included in the score should be a short description of the work: composers are asked to reflect here on how their carol may relate to the theme of hope. Composers are welcome to choose any text, or write their own texts, but any necessary copyright permissions must have been obtained by the composer prior to submission. Librettists should be clearly disclosed on the score.
Alongside the score, composers are asked to supply a short biography (200 words maximum). Composers may use this space to communicate their work and vision in any way they see fit, but this may include: information on your beliefs and/or practice as a composer, your journey with music to date, any familiarity with/ passion for choral music you may have. There is also an option to record this section of the application by video.
The Aurora choir is committed to providing a fair application process for all, and requests for additional advice or access requirements/fair adjustments to the application process are welcome. Contact details are provided at the bottom of this application pack.
Entrance criteria
Aurora choir recognises that a career in composition looks different for everyone. Individuals are free to self-select if the terms ‘emerging and early career composer’ applies to their current stage, and we do not discriminate entrants on grounds of age, education level or qualifications. Whilst there are no mandatory boundaries around this definition, we are unlikely to select a work from a composer who we feel has had significant professional experience. We strongly encourage applications from composers who have been historically underrepresented within the contemporary music world.
The composer should be available to attend the rehearsal and premiere of their work on the 20th of December 2025 at St Andrew’s Church, Southgate. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered by the choir.
There is no fee to apply.
Performance, premiere and rights
The Aurora choir will premiere the chosen work at St Andrew’s Church, Southgate on the 20th of December. In entering the competition, the composer will allow for the Aurora Choir to premiere the work on the 20th of December. All rights for the work remain firmly with the composer. The composer will be expected to attend the premiere, and will also be provided with up to two complimentary tickets that can be shared with their family/friends as they see fit.
Selection Process and Timeline
All submissions will be reviewed by a panel consisting of members of the Aurora committee and their musical director. We are a small team, and are regretfully unable to provide individual feedback for unsuccessful applicants. The timeline is as follows:
21st July 2025: Applications open
5pm, 21st September 2025: Applications close
20th-30th September 2025: Applications reviewed by panel
1st October 2025: All composers informed of the outcome of their application 6th October 2025: Aurora Choir to begin rehearsals on selected carol 20th December 2025: Selected carol performed in Aurora Choir’s Christmas concert, following an afternoon rehearsal with the choir and composer.
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch about the Aurora Choir Carol Competition, please contact us at info@aurorachoir.co.uk. To find out more about the Aurora Choir and our work, please visit our website: https://www.aurorachoir.co.uk/