2025 Young Composers Competition

KEEP THE FAITH

What do we believe in? Where do we turn when times get tough? And how do we cope when our faith is shaken to its core?

Today more than ever, communities around the world are experiencing deep uncertainty and fear. Whether we are experiencing the denial or erasure of basic rights once considered unalienable, or watching helplessly as violence and conflict spawns death and destruction, we are finding it harder and harder to believe in the ideals and ideas that we once cherished—and we are more and more desperate for bright spots to cling to in the midst of confusion and fear. 

But this isn’t the first time that humanity has been tested—and it isn’t the first time that we’ve seen how belief can power communities through the toughest of times. So, this year, we wanted to use our concert to explore the different kinds of beliefs that power us all—and how humans have responded, throughout history, to struggles and strife that have rattled our collective faith. 

This theme explores faith in the traditional sense. But it also explores different kinds of human belief and faith—faith in love, faith in nationalism, faith in the strength of the human spirit. And it explores how music has helped communities weather storms of varying magnitudes—how humans have used music to express their grief and fear when their faith is shaken, and also to remind us all to keep the faith, even when it feels impossible. 

Now, we want to hear from you. What do you believe in? What sparks your dreams? What struggles have threatened your faith, whether in goodness or God—and what inspires you to persist?

This year, our 11th Annual Young Composers Competition is eager to hear how you interpret our theme, Keep the Faith.  If you feel like creating something — or find that something you’ve already created might speak to us — we’d love to hear from you!

All U.S. & Canadian residents age 18-40 are welcome to submit a 2-5 minute original composition (arranged for mixed, unaccompanied choir) related to this theme, and we especially welcome submissions from unique or underrepresented perspectives – and in unique or underrepresented styles.  Submissions are due by May 14, 2025, and a prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the winner.

Submission Guidelines

• Entries must be scored for unaccompanied mixed choir, suitable for performance by 12-14 voices, either with or without divisi. Entries must be 2-5 minutes in length.
• Any style or genre of music is permitted (i.e., works need not be “classical”). Jazz, pop, rock, world, crossover works, etc., are all welcome.
• Works must be entirely original compositions (not arrangements of existing works), except that limited excerpting for artistic reasons is allowed.
• Works must not have received a public premiere or publicly available recording, and must be unpublished. Exception – self-published, unsold works that are withdrawn from sale during the competition (see rules).
• All texts must be cleared for performance and commercial recording, and evidence of copyright holder’s permission must be shown. For further guidance, see here.
• Open to U.S. and Canadian composers aged 18-40. Previous winners, members of The Capital Hearings, and their families, close friends and colleagues are not eligible.
• The Capital Hearings retain a two-year “right of first recording” for the winning composition (see Rules for details).
• Only one composition per submission will be accepted, but multiple submissions are welcome.
• The competition will be judged anonymously. Finalists will be selected by the music director with input from a committee. The full ensemble will select the winner.
• Entrants must submit a complete online submission form, including a full score pdf, audio realization (MIDI, MP3, etc.), standalone version of the underlying text (if not included in the score), a translation (if not in English), and any documents needed to prove copyright permission.
• Questions? Contact [email protected] for more information.