Choral Composition Competition 2025

Composers, filled with the Christian spirit, should feel that their vocation is to cultivate sacred music and increase its store of treasures.
Let them produce compositions which have the qualities proper to genuine sacred music, not confining themselves to works which can be sung only by large choirs, but providing also for the needs of small choirs and for the active participation of the entire assembly of the faithful.
The texts intended to be sung must always be in conformity with Catholic doctrine; indeed they should be drawn chiefly from holy scripture and from liturgical sources.

Sacrosanctum Concilium 121

Open

Participants* in this category are asked to compose a three or four vocal parts acapella piece for the “Prayer to St. Michael Archangel” in Latin.

Latin text
Sancte Michaël Archangele,
defende nos in proelio;
contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.
Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur:
tuque, Princeps militiae Caelestis,
satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,
qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo,
divina virtute in infernum detrude.
Amen.

English translation
Holy Michael Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle;
be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and do thou, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God
thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits,
who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.
Amen

Under 18

Participants* in this category are asked to compose a three or four vocal parts acapella piece for the Communion Antiphon for Christmas Midnight Mass “In splendoribus – Psalm 109:3” in Latin.

Latin text
In splendoribus sanctorum,
ex utero ante luciferum
genui te.

English translation
In holy splendor,
from the womb before the daystar
I begot You.

Send us your composition in pdf format before 1st September 2025

The winning piece of the 2025 competition will be showcased in the Songs of Cecilia Sacred Music Evening as part of the Auckland Sacred Music Conference 2025.

* participants must be a practicing Catholic, lives in New Zealand and in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Judging criteria

Pieces will be judge on the following criteria

  • Musicality
  • Liturgical suitability

Submission closed on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 15th August, 2025