RACHEL MOORE | COMPOSITION CONTEST
The Choral Project’s Rachel Moore Composition Competition is open to high school students (grades 9-12) and undergraduate college students. The competition is designed to encourage the creation of original works for choir and to enable new collaboration between performers and composers.
- First place prize is $1,500, a live performance of the work in concert, a recording of the live performance, and possible publication with Santa Barbara Music Publishing.
- Second place prize is $750, a live performance of the work in concert, and a recording of the live performance.
- Third place prize is $500, a live performance of the work in concert, and a recording of the live performance.
“Daniel and the singers are not only phenomenally talented, but also so accommodating in genuinely wanting to see my musical vision become a reality! TCP has credited my music in a way that I never would have myself, and I thank God for opening this door. This entire process has been such a wonderful experience for me as a student composer making the transition into the real world, and I look forward to many other composers being able to benefit from this experience as I have :)” – 2015-16 1st Place winner Benjamin Low, Boston MA, “Oom Ji Ji”
“The study of music composition can be an incredibly daunting task, because one never really knows the extent of the innate capacity to achieve artistic excellence until it is significantly developed through education and practice. The opportunity to have a piece performed by an ensemble of the caliber of The Choral Project, guided by the musical sensitivity of Mr. Hughes was an incredible encouragement to this aspiring composer, and will lend significant energy toward the continuing of my musical education. Thanks to all involved for working together to bring this piece to life!” – 2015-16 2nd Place winner Douglas Byler, Dayton VA, “Paris in Spring”
2017-18 Rachel Moore Choral Composition application (102mb)
Postmark deadline: closed; check back next season.
Finalists Announcement: April 9, 2018
2017-18 Winners:
First Place: “Ma” by Kunal C. Gala, North Andover, MA
Second Place: “Qazamat” by Hamid Alipor Shirazi, Bojnurd, Iran
Third Place: “Dance of the Fairies” by Cathryn S. Davis, St. Paul, MN
2016-17 Winners:
First Place: no prize awarded
Second Place: “Run, Said the Sun,” Jonathan Daniel, Overland Park, KS
Third Place: “For You Only,” Zoe Heflin, Parkersburg, WV
2015-16 Winners:
First Place: “Oom Ji Ji,” Benjamin Low, Brighton MA
Second Place: “Paris in Spring,” Douglas Byler, Dayton VA
Third Place: “Ave Maria,” Chase Shoemaker, Indianola IA
2014-15 Winners:
First Place (tie): “Incantation, Ritual and Dance,” Stephen Jackson, Abilene TX,
and “A Prayer for the Future,” Jacob Devol, Richmond VA
Third Place: no prize awarded
2011-12 Winners:
First Place: “Purple and Pearl,” Christian T. Martin, Cortland NY
Second Place: “Beneath the Wave,” Luke Flynn, Dubuque IA
Third Place: “Come To Me,” Matthew Emery, Vancouver BC
2010-11 Winners:
First Place: “Grant Us Peace,” Stephen Feigenbaum, Winchester MA
Third Place (tie): “The Western Shore,” Dale Sakamoto, Mission Viejo CA,
and “The Dancer,” Nicolas Dahlquist, Lincoln NE
2009-2010 Winners:
First Place (tie): “Pén Graté,” Matteo Giuliani, GB Martini Conservatory, Bologna, Italy 
and “Lullaby,” Daniel B. Elder, Athens GA
Third Place: “There Will Come Soft Rains,” Joseph D. Kelly
2008-2009 Winners:
First Place: “Song for the River,” Collin Martin, Coto de Caza CA
Second Place: “Aprill,” Will Thomas, Rindge NH
Third Place: “October Sky,” Corey Smith, Temperance MI
For questions or more information, please contact:
Daniel Hughes | Artistic Director
artisticdir@sjcp.org
Lori Abrahams | Outreach Manager
outreach@sjcp.org
