Royal School of Church Music launches composition competition 

The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) has launched its 2024 Harold Smart Memorial Composition Competition. Open to composers aged 25 and under, the competition invites participants to compose an original anthem, making a significant contribution to sacred music.  

Competitors will set a text created by Dr Canon Gordon Giles for two-part voices in a church setting with a style suitable for a choir of moderate ability. The winning participant will receive a cash prize of £300, plus £200 of composition tuition and the possibility of publication by the RSCM.  

Established in 1988 to encourage the composition of simple anthems, the competition honours the memory of surgeon and RSCM member Dr Harold Smart. Through the 2024 competition, the RSCM aims to expand church music repertoire, with ‘fresh, innovative works that inspire and uplift’. Submissions are welcome by email to the RSCM press team by the deadline of 1 October 2024.  

Works will be judged against criteria including ‘originality and creativity’, ‘musicality and technical skill’, ‘appropriateness for a church setting’ and ‘overall impact and inspiration’ by a panel including former York Minster director of music Philip Moore; RSCM composer Joanna Forbes L’Estrange; composer and director of music at Selwyn College, Cambridge Sarah MacDonald; composer and former head of academic music at Winchester College Oliver Tarney; RSCM head of publishing Tim Ruffer and RSCM director Hugh Morris.