Announcing our Carol Composition Competition 2026!​

After the success of our inaugural competition in 2025, we are once again inviting submissions for our carol competition, celebrating emerging composers from the UK/Ireland. The competition is in memory of our dear friend and supporter Mark Allport, who championed supporting emerging artists.

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Competition rules and how to enter:​

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• The competition is open to early-career composers between the ages of 18-28 years old on the performance date.

• Composers must be from or based in the UK or Ireland.

• Compositions should be between 2:30-4:00 minutes in length

• Composers may use their own or others' words, but precise details of the source of the text must be provided, and the text must be out of copyright. The text can be in any one of the following languages: English, Irish, French, Italian, Spanish, or German (we advise including a pronunciation guide for languages other than English).

• Carols submitted should not have received a public performance, and the music must be original (ie. not an arrangement of existing music).  

• The carol must be written for a capella choir, ranging from SATB-SSAATTBB max. 

• Sestina Music shall have all rights in connection with the first public performance of the prize-winning carol, but thereafter the composer shall have all rights in respect of the carol.

• Sestina Music shall have all rights in connection with the first recording of the prize-winning carol, but thereafter the composer shall have all rights in respect of the carol.

• Entries will be judged by Artistic Director Malachy Frame and composer Dr. Seán Doherty

• Entries should be sent by email (PDF or other digital format) to info@sestinamusic.com. Each entry should be accompanied by a covering letter/email, including the title of the work, composer's name, date of birth, address and nationality. The name of the composer must not appear on the score itself. 

• We may require any prize winner to participate in promotional or publicity material as we see fit.

• The winning composer will be invited to attend our carol concert on the 18th December, where the carol will be premiered, and award presented.

• If you have any questions about the competition, please feel free to get in touch by emailing info@sestinamusic.com.​

 

Deadline: Friday 20th November