Finzi Trust launches composing competition
Florence Lockheart
Monday, February 20, 2023
Applications are now open for the competition, which offers a cash prize of £2,500 as well as performance opportunities.
The Finzi Trust has announced the launch of a new International Composing Competition. Applications are now open for the competition, which aims to discover and develop choral composing talent from around the world.
Applicants at any stage of their career can submit a work for SATB of no more than eight minutes written in response to Finzi's ‘Lo, the full and final sacrifice’, one of the British composer’s most loved works. The winning piece will become a companion piece to Finzi’s work, with the hope that it will become a staple of the modern repertoire. Applications are now open with a deadline of 30 June.
Finzi Trust trustee, Jonathan James, said: ‘We are excited to extend Finzi's legacy of supporting composers through this competition. His choral classic, 'Lo, the Full and Final Sacrifice' is a deeply lyrical work with profound themes, and composers will find it a rewarding creative challenge to a write a worthy companion piece.’
Shortlisted pieces will be judged by composers Roxanna Panufnik, Robert Saxton and Paul Spicer and the composer of the winning composition will receive a cash prize of £2,500, as well as having their work performed and filmed by the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge led by Dr Stephen Layton. Gerald Finzi's publisher, Boosey & Hawkes, will also consider the winning piece for potential publication.
James added: ‘The prizes for the winning entry are designed to give the composer all-round support: a financial incentive, critical exposure to judges who are leaders in their field, a recording by a stellar choir and consideration for publication. We believe this new venture will attract a truly international response and could reveal exciting new talent.’
Founded in 1969, the Finzi Trust seeks to promote the music, work and ideals of Gerald Finzi, by supporting recordings, performances, masterclasses, lectures, music festivals, composition awards, song competitions, composer-in-residence schemes and commissions. This competition is the Trust’s latest project aiming to promote the composer’s legacy.