I am so gratified to be able to announce results in the first ever Composition Competition from the Michigan Choral Composition Competition. We welcomed submissions from women composers and had fourteen entries in our no-entry-fee competition.
There were two tiers of competition, for Established and Emerging composers, with cash prizes and more for the winners.
The winning pieces will be featured in this year’s consortium series, and will have the opportunity for many performances from some of the finest choirs from across Michigan. In addition, they will receive cash prizes and the possibility of interaction with the choirs. The winning compositions were selected by three of the finest Michigan conductors – also all women, and representing high school, university, and community choir experience. Lyn CieChanski (Ann Arbor Skyline High School) Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams (Western Michigan University) and Ginny Kerwin (retired Executive Director of MSVMA) all praised the strength and diversity of the fourteen submitted compositions and remarked on the difficulty of choosing their favorites.
In the Established Composer category, the winning composition is “Seeing the Same Stars” by Dr. Ellen Gilson Voth, a conductor and composer, educator and keyboard artist. She will receive a $1000 cash prize.
In the Emerging Composer category, the winning composition is “One Nation” by Abbey Monreal, a composer and music education major at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She will receive a $250 cash prize.
Thanks to all who participated in this – I can’t wait for these pieces performed across Michigan.
You can read more about the compositions and the composers in the press release below.