CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: AURORA CHOIR CAROL COMPETITION 2026

The Aurora Choir invites submissions from emerging and early career composers to their 2026 Carol Composition Competition. Composers are invited to send in carols that relate to Aurora Choir’s 2026 Christmas concert theme, ‘A Veritable Ceremony of Carols’. The selected work will be premiered in the Aurora Choir’s 2026 Christmas concert in St Andrew’s Church, Southgate on the 12th of December. Information on submission, access requirements, and the Aurora Choir is provided below.

 

Applications are now open until 5pm on Monday the 21st September .

Please apply here.

 

Submission Requirements

Composers should submit a score (in PDF format) of a carol for Choir and Piano which responds to the theme ‘A Veritable Ceremony of Carols’. Choir divisions up to SSAATTBB, and solos in any part, are permissible but not mandatory. Works do not have to have been written for this call, but cannot have been performed before. Included in the score should be a short description of the work. Composers are asked to reflect here on how their carol may relate to the competition’s theme. Composers are welcome to choose any text, or write their own texts, but any necessary copyright permissions must have been obtained by the composer prior to submission. Librettists should be clearly disclosed on the score.

Alongside the score, composers are asked to supply a short biography (200 words maximum). Composers may use this space to communicate their work and vision in any way they see fit. This may include: information on your beliefs and/or practice as a composer; your journey with music to date; any familiarity with/passion for choral music you may have. There is also an option to record this section of the application by video.

The Aurora choir is committed to providing a fair application process for all, and requests for additional advice or access requirements/fair adjustments to the application process are welcome. Contact details are provided at the bottom of this application pack.

Entrance criteria

Aurora choir recognises that a career in composition looks different for everyone. Individuals are free to self-select if the terms ‘emerging and early career composer’ applies to their current stage, and we do not discriminate entrants on grounds of age, education level, or qualifications. Whilst there are no mandatory boundaries around this definition, we are unlikely to select a work from a composer who we feel has had significant professional experience.

There is no fee to apply.

 

Performance, premiere and rights

The Aurora choir will premiere the chosen work at St Andrew’s Church, Southgate on the 12th of December. In entering the competition, the composer will allow for the Aurora Choir to premiere the work on the 12th of December. All rights for the work remain firmly with the composer. The composer will be expected to attend the premiere and will be provided with up to two complimentary tickets that can be shared with their family/friends as they see fit.

 

Selection Process and Timeline

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel consisting of members of the Aurora committee and their musical director. We are a small team, and are regretfully unable to provide individual feedback for unsuccessful applicants. The timeline is as follows:

6th July 2026: Applications open.
5pm, 21st September 2026: Applications close.
21st September—6th October 2026: Applications reviewed by panel.
7th October 2026: All composers informed of the outcome of their application.
12th October 2026: Aurora Choir to begin rehearsals of selected carol.
12th December 2026: Selected carol performed in Aurora Choir’s Christmas concert, following an afternoon rehearsal with the choir and composer.

To find out more about the Aurora Choir and our work, please visit our website here. If you have any questions or would like to get in touch about the Aurora Choir Carol Competition, please contact us at info@aurorachoir.co.uk