FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHOIRS ONTARIO ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF THE 2021 RUTH WATSON HENDERSON CHORAL COMPOSITION COMPETITION
TORONTO, ONTARIO | AUGUST 7, 2022 – The Board of Directors of Choirs Ontario is thrilled to announce that Matthew-John Knights has been selected the winner and recipient of the 2021 Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition.
Over 25 submissions were received from composers across the country. The compositions were reviewed by an accomplished jury panel of composers, conductors and choral professionals.
I heard the Spring Wind Whisper by Vancouver-based composer, Matthew-John Knights was unanimously chosen as the winner. Matthew-John will receive a cash prize of $2,000.00 and a premiere performance of his winning composition.
“Wonderful composition, text, and attention to detail; the score is professional and great care and craft was taken. Beautiful, evocative opening gesture which layers the entries. [We] love the mixed metre to bring out the phrasing of the poem”
Statement from President of Choirs Ontario, Andrew Walker
Matthew-John Knights’ piece, I heard the Spring Wind Whisper, is a well-deserved selection for this year’s Ruth Watson Henderson Composition Competition. Choirs Ontario is proud to support the growth of choral composition across our province, and it is thanks to composers like Matthew-John that we have a thriving, exciting future for our community.
Upon learning of his achievement, Knights remarked; “I cracked open my eyes early one morning, and checked my phone for emails. I saw that I had one from Chois Ontario, and expected to find a polite rejection regarding a submission I had sent in. Instead I was overjoyed to find that I had been chosen as the recipient of the Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Award for 2021! My heart was racing and I excitedly scrolled through the email again, re-reading the news and details, almost ready to pinch myself, I felt the news to be so exciting. I’m now very much looking forward to sharing my piece, “I Heard the Spring Wind Whisper,” with both the choir and the audience in the upcoming season. The text I chose is a selection of lines from a poem by Bliss Carmen. I chose lines of his text that were most evocative and descriptive, those that conjured vivid images in my mind. I set these to music, playing with the choir’s ability to weave and overlap voices, and to flirt with tonality, creating interesting sonic colours to accompany the beautiful, and overwhelmingly positive text”.
In the early stages of his career Matthew-John Knights has already begun to make a name for himself winning several important prizes. His piece, “Blessed by Beauty and Rage” recently won the Thirteen Strings Call for Scores in 2019 and premiered in June of that year under the baton of Kevin Mallon. With the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Matthew-John created “Adherent; Unyielding” for violin and piano, which was premiered in July of 2019 by its dedicatee, Gregory Lewis, collaborating with pianist Frédéric Lacroix. In January of 2020, Matthew-John’s orchestral debut took place with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, at the Winnipeg New Music Festival, under the baton of Julian Pellicano. In 2020, Matthew-John received a SOCAN chamber music award for his piece “Distorted Reality, Imaginatively Amended,” written in 2019 while he studied at Orford Music Academy with Véronique Lacroix and Dorothy Chang. Further studies at Orford included working with Ana Sokolović, Jean Lesage, Nicolas Gilbert.
Matthew-John has a special interest in creating theatrical works, that is, music that involves physical movement/staging. His piece, “Shadow Figures,” for two oboes was played in March 2022 at the Sonic Boom Festival in Vancouver, and features movement of the oboists to tell a more immersive story. “Abstraction” for solo bass clarinet will also feature staging in an upcoming music video project with Turning Point Ensemble. His thesis, a part of his DMA program at the University of British Columbia, will also heavily feature movement and staging in a work for mezzo-soprano, flute/alto flute, clarinet/bass clarinet, violin, cello, piano and mixed percussion.
ABOUT THE RUTH WATSON HENDERSON COMPOSITION COMPETITION
The Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition was born out of a concert held in November 1992 to honour Ruth’s 60th birthday including Toronto Children’s Chorus, Elmer Iseler Singers, Amadeus Choir, Bach Children’s Chorus, Elora Festival Singers, Oriana Women’s Choir, and TMC Youth Chorus. The proceeds of this joint concert were used to establish the RWH competition. The administration of the competition was handed over to Choirs Ontario with Ruth Watson Henderson involved in judging the competition up until 2017.
One of Canada’s foremost musicians, Ruth Watson Henderson is renowned internationally both as a composer and pianist. Her works are acclaimed, performed, and recorded worldwide. The Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Competition was established in 1996 to recognize Ms. Watson Henderson’s invaluable contribution to the art of choral music. Ms. Henderson is very pleased to encourage the contribution to Canadian choral music that the competition provides, and appreciates the work of Choirs Ontario who administers this program.
Choirs Ontario is proud to support Canadian composers and add to the rich legacy of Canadian choral music through the Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition. Past winners of the competition include: Jason Jestadt, Mark Sirett, Leonard Enns, Allan Bevan, and Elise Letourenau.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Emma Margutsch, Office Manager
Email: info@choirsontario.org
Tel: (416) 923-1144
Website: www.choirsontario.org
Social Media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Press Release: Announcement of the 2021 Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition Winner
Announcement of the 2021 President’s Leadership Award Recipient
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHOIRS ONTARIO ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF THE 2021 PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AWARD
TORONTO, ONTARIO | AUGUST 5, 2022 – The Board of Directors of Choirs Ontario is thrilled to announce that Carol Woodward Ratzlaff has been selected the winner and recipient of the 2021 President’s Leadership Award.
Carol’s long and extensive career as an educator, a choral conductor, artistic director and mentor has distinguished her as a leader within the province of Ontario and beyond. Her development of the VIVA Singers Toronto youth and adult programs encourages artistic excellence in a context of mutual respect.
Carol Woodward Ratzlaff is the Artistic Director and Founder of VIVA Singers Toronto, Co-Conductor of Main Chorus, Chamber Youth Leadership Chorus, Community Choir, SATB Chamber Singers and Conductor of the Every Voice Matters Chorus.
As per Carol’s vision, at the heart of VIVA is the Every Voice Matters Chorus, which welcomes teens and young adults with disabilities. An all-abilities, inclusive approach to choral music education and performance is central to the identity of the organization and to each of VIVA’s seven choirs. Carol’s commitment to innovation and excellence in community music-making has led to the development of unique foci for each of VIVA’s choirs, including dynamic ensembles for children 4 and up, a leadership-based youth choir, the unique Creation Stream program for young composers ages 6 to 16, and choirs for adult singers at all levels of experience.
Carol maintains an active career as a choral conductor, educator, singer, and private voice teacher, after her recent retirement from the Toronto District School Board. Having recently joined the Faculty at the Oscar Peterson School of Music, Royal Conservatory of Music, Carol has also continued to share her passion for vocal music education as a Sessional Instructor at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto; and with Vocal Music Teacher candidates at OISE, University of Toronto and the Faculty of Education, University of Windsor. Through Carol’s diverse teaching outlets, her former students can be found in university music faculties, as award-winning singer/songwriters, as music teachers across the GTA and beyond, and as lifelong advocates for the power of choral music.
Carol has performed across Canada and internationally as a member of the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Elora Festival Singers, and has been engaged as a guest artist with the Pax Christi Chorale, the Toronto Chamber Choir, and the Toronto Consort. She currently sings with Soundstreams’ Choir 21.
Carol is a PhD student in Music Education at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto where she will research choral performance opportunities for singers with disabilities. She holds a MMus in vocal performance from the University of British Columbia, with degrees in vocal performance and music education from Western University and the University of Toronto.
Upon learning of her appointment, Ratzlaff remarked: “I am very grateful to be selected as recipient of the President’s Leadership Award, especially after such a challenging time for singers in recent years. I feel that I must share this recognition with the strong and dedicated VIVA Singers Toronto team who stood together, focused on the possibilities, and unearthed new ways of being and doing choral music together.”
Carol is described as,
“Carol is an innovative, risk-taking, collaborative, singer-first conductor-educator who consistently demonstrates new ways of engaging with choristers through a commitment to equity, inclusion, repertoire, and programming.”
“Carol has been one of the leading figures on the Ontario Choral scene for many decades. Her experience as a conductor, mentor, educator, champion of contemporary Canadian choral repertoire, singer, voice teacher, and choral administrator has been an invaluable part of the Ontario and Canadian choral Scene… Carol’s artistic leadership is nothing short of inspirational to the choral community at large and continues to inspire new generations of choristers and educators.”
“Carol Ratzlaff has built an amazing choral family with a dedication and passion for all the right things, building a group that is inclusive to its core, and which inspires its singers to excellence while building community.”
Statement from President of Choirs Ontario, Andrew Walker
“Carol is a deserved recipient of the Choirs Ontario President’s Leadership Award. Her achievement and leadership as a chorister, administrator, and leader in our community is extraordinary. She is welcoming to all, a strong musician and singer, and inspires all those around her.
It is thanks to people like Carol that the choral community in Ontario thrives. Thank you, Carol, for all that you do.”
ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AWARD
Established in 2001 to commemorate Choirs Ontario’s 30th anniversary, this award recognizes individuals who, through their support or engagement in choral music-making, have made an exceptional contribution to the promotion and advancement of choral music in their communities.
The Award is presented annually and alternates between those who support choral music – executive directors, administrators, volunteers, corporate sponsors, philanthropists, and those who are directly involved in the performance of choral music – singers, conductors, and accompanists. Candidates must have demonstrated an exceptional leadership role, vision and cultural activism and must be nominated by a Choirs Ontario member choir or individual member.
Previous recipients include: Frieda and Vern Heinrichs, Linda Beaupre, Emily Burgetz, Marilyn Ala-Kanti, Albert Greer, Robert Henderson, Mark Sirett, Jessie Iseler, Gerald Fagan, Barbara Clark, Jean Ashworth Bartle, and Andi Murphy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Emma Margutsch, Office Manager
Email: info@choirsontario.org
Tel: (416) 923-1144
Website: www.choirsontario.org
Social Media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Press Release: Announcement of the 2021 President’s Leadership Award Recipient
Choirs Ontario: Notice of Special Meeting and 2022 Annual Meeting
Special Meeting | Annual Meeting 2022
From: Andrew Walker, President
To: All Members of Choirs Ontario
Subject: Notice of Special Meeting and Annual Meeting
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING AND ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, August 7, 2022
In accordance with Choirs Ontario By-Laws, NOTICE is hereby given of the Special Meeting and Annual Meeting of Choirs Ontario to elect members of the board of directors and conduct the annual business of the organization.
All Choirs Ontario members in good standing are welcome to attend.
DATE & TIME: Sunday, August 7, 2022 | 7:30pm
LOCATION: Online via ZOOM
Detailed agendas will be disseminated, along with the requisite video conference links and Choirs Ontario documents in advance of the meeting.
To RSVP or register, please complete and submit the Registration/RSVP Form –> https://forms.gle/4Ex4DiikS8tG8WjGA
For more information on these meeting or any other Choirs Ontario activity, please do not hesitate to contact Office Manager, Emma Margutsch at info@choirsontario.org.
With thanks,
Choirs Ontario
Call for Submissions: Dynamic Magazine
Interested in contributing to Choir Ontario’s digital magazine publication, Dynamic?
Choirs Ontario is currently seeking submissions for the November 2022 issue of Dynamic!
Feature articles:
- Topics for feature articles may include repertoire, choral history, performance practice, choral composers and conductors (including interviews), rehearsal techniques, vocal technique, choir management and organization, choral music education, and sociological aspects of choral singing.
- Articles must be limited to 1,500 words or less and submitted in Microsoft Word format.
- Referenced material should be noted in the body of the text and cited as endnotes.
- Submissions must include the author’s name, brief bio (max. 25 words), and a headshot.
- Articles are accepted for publication when board members determine that the article contains information that pertains directly to the general interests of the Choirs Ontario membership. We reserve the right to edit all material for length, grammar, timeliness, and appropriateness.
Choir News Items:
- News items report current or recent news about your choir including activities, milestones, tours, and recordings.
- Please do not include upcoming concert promotion in your write-up. Details about concerts and events should be submitted to Choirs Ontario’s Event Calendar.
- Items must be limited to 400 words or less and be submitted in Microsoft Word format.
- Submissions must include the author’s name, brief bio (max. 25 words), and a headshot.
Photos and Graphics (e.g., logo, banners, etc.)
- All photos (including author headshot) must be in colour, 300 dpi, and measure at least 4” x 6” and be in .jpeg or .psd file format. Please ensure that you have obtained consent from choir members and/or instrumentalists before submitting your photos.
- Submit graphics in one of the following formats: Illustrator file (AI), high-resolution PDF, or EPS.
- Submit all photos and graphics separately, never embedded in a document. Depending on space, not all submitted photos may be used.
At Choirs Ontario, we value and seek to actively involve the full range of what makes people unique in order to create a strong and innovative choral music sector where amazing people thrive. We strongly encourage article submissions from Indigenous peoples, people of colour, people with disabilities, people from all gender and sexually diverse communities and people with intersectional identities.
Please note all contributors must be current Choir Ontario members. You can join Choirs Ontario here.
The deadline to submit is October 15, 2022.
Please submit all materials to Dynamic Editor, Matthew Emery at editor@choirsontario.org.
PODIUM 2022: Choral Festival in Toronto
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PODIUM 2022: Choral Conference and Festival
Toronto, Ontario | April 22, 2022 – Choral Canada and Choirs Ontario present PODIUM 2022: Reimagine, Rebuild, Reconnect, in Toronto and online from May 19-23, 2022.
PODIUM is Choral Canada’s national choral conference and festival. An opportunity for singers, conductors, composers, music educators and audience members to join in celebrating choral music and group singing in one of the world’s most multicultural and exciting cities, PODIUM 2022’s Festival line-up of 8 concerts is sure to excite audiences.
Celebrate the long awaited return to live choral music. Discover 11 outstanding choirs from across North America with 8 incredible concerts. Hear from youth, gospel, and Indigenous voices, new Canadian works and world premieres.
Featuring the National Youth Choir of Canada, award winning Toronto Mass Choir, Jason Max Ferdinand Singers, Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble, Dead of Winter, Prairie Voices, Singing Out, Shallaway Youth Choir, Winnipeg Boys Choir, Exultate Chamber Singers, Canadian Men’s Chorus, Deantha Edmunds, Shannon Thunderbird and Sandy Horne.
2022’s Festival also features a new Song Sharing initiative – a participatory musical series led my Indigenous knowledge keepers and artists.
To view the full press release, click HERE.
Media Contact
Choirs Ontario – info@choirsontario.org
Emma Margutsch, Office Manager
Join us for the Respectful Workplaces Workshop
Choral Canada and Choirs Ontario are pleased to offer the Respectful Workplaces in the Arts Workshop for the Canadian choral arts sector and community. They are free and open to anyone to attend. Presented by the Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC), the goal of the workshop is to provide information and facilitated conversations to encourage better workplace practices and behaviours.
What is a “workplace” in the context for choirs/singing groups?
“Workplaces” can be defined as anywhere that singers, volunteers, artistic staff, and administrative staff come together to “work”, including rehearsals, performances, retreats, tours, and administrative spaces (online and in-person).
What happens at this workshop?
The workshop covers information on provincial/territorial legislation, definitions of harassment and bullying as well as case-studies to navigate the complexities of problematic situations. These workshops are not legal nor therapy clinics, they are conversations facilitated by experienced cultural sector leaders. Resources are discussed to help individuals and organizations towards contributing to better work environments and/or to develop their own policies/codes of conduct.
Where and when are the workshops?
The workshops will be on Zoom. It is a one-time four-hour workshop full of information, discussions, and opportunities to ask specific questions. The workshop will not be recorded.
Ontario — Saturday March 5 @ 10am-2pm Eastern (ENGLISH)
Ontario — Saturday March 26 @ 2pm-6pm Eastern (FRENCH)
Who are these workshops for?
These workshops are open to anyone to attend, however they are limited to a maximum of 25 people. If more than 25 people register, an additional date/time will be offered. A minimum of 8 people is required.
These workshops are geared towards community choir/singing groups’ administrators, artistic staff, board members, committee members, and singers — any individual who takes part in the choir/singing group at any level.
How do I register?
Fill out this registration form and select the province/territory specific workshop you wish to attend.
Choirs Ontario Statement on Public Health Protocol- January 2022
Choirs Ontario seeks to offer the best insight as possible to our membership on the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 gathering restrictions. The following are taken from passages in Government of Ontario press releases and regulations: please consult the requisite regulations and legislation for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Please note that Choirs Ontario assumes no responsibility for the policies and practices of organisations. This note serves solely the purpose of information sharing, and does not act as advice, interpretation, or counsel. Organisations should consult the most up-to-date regulations to ensure their compliance.
Choirs Ontario strongly urges all in the choral music community to take all prudent steps to ensure the safety and security of all those within the choral music community. We urge all to get vaccinated as we continue the fight against COVID-19.
Latest Public Health Restrictions: January 5, 2022
As of January 5, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. the following measures will be in place for at least 21 days (until January 27) subject to trends in public health and our health system.
Concert venues, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, zoos, science centres , landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions, amusement parks, waterparks, tour and guide services including boat tours, fairs, rural exhibitions and festivals must operate under the following conditions:
- outdoor open with restrictions (such as masking on rides)
- spectators at seated events at 50 per cent capacity
- outdoor tours and boat tours at 50 per cent capacity
- drive-in and drive through events permitted with restrictions, such as distancing between cars, only permitted to leave a vehicle in limited circumstances, etc.
- indoor areas of concert venues, theatres and cinemas closed except for rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted performance, artistic event or performance, with restrictions
Social gatherings are permitted under the following conditions:
-
indoor gatherings limited to five people or fewer
-
outdoor gatherings limited to 10 people or fewer
Organized public events are permitted under the following conditions:
-
indoor events limited to five people or fewer
-
outdoor events have no limits on number of attendees, but face coverings and/or masks must be worn when distancing (two metres or more) cannot be maintained
Weddings, funerals, religious services, rites and ceremonies are permitted under the following conditions:
- indoor services are limited to 50 per cent the capacity of the room
- outdoor services are limited to the number of people who can maintain two metres distance
- drive-in (motor vehicle) services permitted
- social gatherings associated with these services must adhere to the social gathering limits
Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas
- Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance if they comply with the following conditions:
- No spectators may be permitted in the concert venue, theatre or cinema.
- Every performer and other person who provides work for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person, except,
- if it is necessary for the purposes of the performance or rehearsal that the performers or persons who provide work for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must be closer to each other, or
- where necessary for the purposes of health and safety.
- The person responsible for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must,
- record the name and contact information of every performer and other person who provides work for the concert venue, theatre or cinema who enters an indoor area of the facility,
- maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and
iii. only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.
Outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas
- (1) Outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open if they comply with the following conditions:
- Spectators must be seated at all times while watching the concert, event, performance or film.
- The number of members of the public at a concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema at any one time must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity for the concert, event, performance or movie.
- No member of the public may attend a seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema unless they have made a reservation to do so.
- No member of the public may be permitted to enter the indoor premises of the concert venue, theatre or cinema, except,
- to access a washroom,
- to access an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route,
iii. to engage in retail sales, or
- as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety.
- The person responsible for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the concert venue, theatre or cinema is permitted to operate.
5.1 Every member of the public who is outdoors at a concert, event, performance or movie must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1, or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.
- The person responsible for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph 5.1 of subsection (1), the references to “indoor area” in clauses 2 (4) (i) and (l) of Schedule 1 shall be read as “outdoor area” and, for greater certainty, members of the public are permitted to remove a mask or face covering temporarily to consume food or drink, or as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety
4) Where there is any requirement … that a person wear a mask or face covering, the requirement does not apply to a person who,
(f) is performing or rehearsing in a film or television production or in a concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance;
As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities. This approach focuses on higher-risk indoor public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn and includes:
- Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
- Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
- Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
- Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
- Sporting events; and
- Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas.
Call for Submissions: Dynamic Magazine
Interested in contributing to Choir Ontario’s digital magazine publication, Dynamic?
Choirs Ontario is currently seeking submissions for the March 2022 issue of Dynamic!
Feature articles:
- Topics for feature articles may include repertoire, choral history, performance practice, choral composers and conductors (including interviews), rehearsal techniques, vocal technique, choir management and organization, choral music education, and sociological aspects of choral singing.
- Articles must be limited to 1,500 words or less and submitted in Microsoft Word format.
- Referenced material should be noted in the body of the text and cited as endnotes.
- Submissions must include the author’s name, brief bio (max. 25 words), and a headshot.
- Articles are accepted for publication when board members determine that the article contains information that pertains directly to the general interests of the Choirs Ontario membership. We reserve the right to edit all material for length, grammar, timeliness, and appropriateness.
Choir News Items:
- News items report current or recent news about your choir including activities, milestones, tours, and recordings.
- Please do not include upcoming concert promotion in your write-up. Details about concerts and events should be submitted to Choirs Ontario’s Event Calendar.
- Items must be limited to 400 words or less and be submitted in Microsoft Word format.
- Submissions must include the author’s name, brief bio (max. 25 words), and a headshot.
Photos and Graphics (e.g., logo, banners, etc.)
- All photos (including author headshot) must be in colour, 300 dpi, and measure at least 4” x 6” and be in .jpeg or .psd file format. Please ensure that you have obtained consent from choir members and/or instrumentalists before submitting your photos.
- Submit graphics in one of the following formats: Illustrator file (AI), high-resolution PDF, or EPS.
- Submit all photos and graphics separately, never embedded in a document. Depending on space, not all submitted photos may be used.
At Choirs Ontario, we value and seek to actively involve the full range of what makes people unique in order to create a strong and innovative choral music sector where amazing people thrive. We strongly encourage article submissions from Indigenous peoples, people of colour, people with disabilities, people from all gender and sexually diverse communities and people with intersectional identities.
Please note all contributors must be current Choir Ontario members. You can join Choirs Ontario here.
The deadline to submit is February 8, 2022.
Please submit all materials to Dynamic Editor, Matthew Emery at editor@choirsontario.org.
Statement on Public Health- October 2021
To access the links in a PDF version of the statement below, please click below:
Statement on Public Health Protocol- October 2021
Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition Accepting Submissions!
Choirs Ontario is now accepting entries for the 2021 Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition.
Prize: $2,000 and a premiere performance with one of Ontario’s celebrated choirs.
Entry deadline: December 1, 2021
Composition Guidelines for the 2021 Competition (SATB Composition)
-The composition must be an original SATB work, 4-6 minutes, a cappella or piano accompaniment
-A cappella submissions MUST include piano reduction.
-Texts may be sacred or secular and can be in languages other than English/French. The text must be either original, known to be in public domain or be accompanied by a letter of permission from copyright owner.
-All submissions must not have been previously commissioned, published or performed and must have been composed within the last two years. Arrangements of previously composed works are not acceptable. The composer shall retain the copyright of the work.
-Previous competition finalists re-applying must submit a different piece.
For submission guidelines and entry form, please visit www.choirsontario.org/programs-awards.