Young Composer Competition 2026-27

Organised by Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus

Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus seeks submissions from composers in the early stages of their careers for the third run of the Stella Jockel Young Composers Competition 2026-27, with a closing date of 08 January 2027.

Stella JockelThe competition was set up to commemorate Stella Jockel, a former Sheffield teacher and vicar’s wife who sang alto with the Chorus for many years and left us a generous legacy in 2020. The aim is to support the creation and performance of new choral repertoire and to encourage and support young people from South Yorkshire who are aiming for a career in music composition and/or performance.

The competition is open to young people aged 18 to 35, who currently live or study in South Yorkshire, or who lived, were born, or were educated there. The requirement is for a short choral work for a large mixed choir to be sung unaccompanied in at least four parts – soprano, alto, tenor, bass.

ComposingThe text has been commissioned from award-winning poet Kayo Chingonyi, Zambian British poet and editor, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Kayo won the Geoffrey Dearmer Prize in 2012, and both the Dylan Thomas Prize and a Somerset Maugham Award in 2018.

Chorus Music Director Darius Battiwalla will again head the panel of judges,  which will also include acclaimed choral conductors and singers Frances Cook and Thom Meredith.

The winning entries will be announced in late February or early March 2027. The winning work will be performed by the Chorus at a special prize-winning event at St Marie’s cathedral on Saturday 24 April 2027.

Prizes

  • 1st prize: £1,500. Performance of the winning work by Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus on Saturday 24 April 2027. Six free tickets for the prize winners concert at St Marie’s cathedral on Saturday 24 April 2027.
  • 2nd prize: £1,000. Five free tickets for the prize-winners concert on 24 April.
  • 3rd prize: £500. Four free tickets for the prize-winners concert on 24 April

Judges

Darius Battiwalla, Music Director Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus

Frances Cook, choral conductor and singer

Thom Meredith, choral conductor and singer

Deadline: midnight on 08 January 2027

Eligibility

The competition is open to young musicians aged between 18 and 35 inclusive, who were born in South Yorkshire or who study, live or work, or who used to study, live or work in South Yorkshire. Applications from previous entrants are welcome, except for previous first prize winners, who are not eligible to enter.

Composition brief

  • An original choral work for a large (160 singers) symphonic mixed choir to sing, unaccompanied, in at least 4 parts (SATB).
  • Duration at least 4 minutes and under 10 minutes.
  • Text to be used is ‘Postcard from Sheffield’ © 2026 Kayo Chingonyi
  • Works must be original, not premiered and not previously awarded before at any other competition.
  • Arranged or adapted versions of previous works by the same composer and which have been already released or published won’t be accepted.

The works will be judged on the basis of their response to the poem, practicality / vocal writing, presentation, and originality (ie, freshness of conception and approach, not necessarily whether the work is technically or aesthetically ground-breaking). Submissions that do not meet the composition brief listed above will not be considered.

Link to Postcard from Sheffield by © 2026 Kayo Chingonyi

Application requirements

Applicants must submit all four of the following items electronically, using the email address below:

  • Original choral score, to be sent as a pdf file. Each composition must be submitted with numbered pages. They must be legible, clear, without mistakes or amendments. The score must not be marked with the composer’s name, or in any way that would enable the composer to be identified. A piano reduction may be included and would be useful but is not essential and won’t affect the judging.
  • Completed application form (download from www.sheffieldphil.org/youngcomposer, see link below)
  • 250-word maximum biography in DOC or PDF format
  • Photograph (jpeg or tif file)

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

Electronic submissions

Competition rules

  1.  Submissions must meet the listed Composition Brief, eligibility and Application Requirements.
  2. Materials will not be returned.
  3. The composition will be the property of the composer; however, first performance rights are granted to Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus.
  4. Applicants waive all rights for publication, broadcasting, and recording of the premiere performance.
  5. The decisions of the judges are final.
  6. The judges reserve the right not to award one or more prizes if the standard is not sufficiently high, commensurate with the value of the prizes.
  7. Applicants may submit up to two applications if they wish.
  8. Applicants must only use the text ‘Postcard from Sheffield’ © 2026 Kayo Chingonyi; the poem is copyright and may not be used for any other purpose.
  9. A condition of entry is that submitted biographies and photographs may be used in the publication of shortlisted applicants.
  10. The judges, Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, and St Marie’s cathedral cannot be held responsible for any damages, claims, liabilities, and costs, or losses of any kind or nature whatsoever, which may in any way arise from the rehearsals, performance and recording of the competition entries.
  11. Applicants accept the above rules unconditionally and without reservation.

Notification

Prize-winners will be announced to the public on 24 April 2027. Shortlisted candidates will be publicised in the new year, and prize-winners notified by late February or early March 2027. Unsuccessful applicants will be provided with brief feedback.

For further enquiries please contact