In 2022 Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus launched an exciting new competition for aspiring composers aged 18 to 35. It is run every two years, alternating with Chorus sponsorship and mentoring of a young choral conductor – both financed by a generous bequest from former member Stella Jockel who sang alto with the Chorus for over 50 years.
The difficulties facing young composers are well known, and though competitions help, many charge a fee and require a recording of the composition which can be expensive to organise. The Chorus was determined to remove as many barriers as possible, using the following principles:
- competitors are asked to submit a score rather than a recording of the work;
- no entry fee, substantial prize money (£1,500, £1,000 and £500);
- anonymous judging by musicians with experience in choral work and/or composition;
- performance of the winning work by South Yorkshire’s foremost mixed voice choir;
- where possible, winners provided with a recording of the performance for their portfolio;
- copyright retained by the young composer following the initial performance.
The Chorus also wanted to ensure that competitors had high quality text to work with, so commissioned award-winning poets: Katharine Towers in 2022-23 and 2024-25 , Susie Wilson in 2024-25 and Kayo Chinganyi in 2026-27.
Read more about the competitions: