The New Voices Project (NVP) is SFCA’s annual competition for composers under 30. Initiated in 2005, the aim is to encourage the next generation of composers to write music for chamber choir. The winner receives a $500 cash prize, 3 performances of the winning work on one of our concert sets in May and June 2026 in San Francisco, CA, and a professional-quality recording.

Eligible composers are encouraged to submit new and creative a cappella choral works that suit the theme of our June 2026 concert “Love, Lost and Found.” Your chosen text should explore love in some form — its joys, sorrows, mysteries, or transformations. Possible approaches might include romantic love, friendship, devotion, or love’s absence and renewal. Some examples from well-known choral repertoire include Monteverdi “Baci soavi e cari”; Elgar “My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land”; Josquin “Mille regretz”; Barber “The Coolin” and Conte “Set Me as a Seal”.

Basic Requirements

  1. Composer must be under age 30 as of July 1, 2026.

  2. Composer is responsible for obtaining relevant rights to use copyrighted material.

  3. A composer may submit only one work.

  4. There is no fee to participate in the New Voices Project.

Application Details

  1. The work should be 2-4 minutes in length, with the length listed on the score.

  2. Preference will be given to works that have not been performed in public, other than in an informal or academic setting.

  3. For SATB a cappella chamber choir. The work may include some body percussion. Any divisi must be limited to no more than 8 parts.

  4. Text may include spoken word, and may be in any language. A typed copy of the full original text, with facing line-by-line English translation, must be provided. If non-standard language(s) are used, a pronunciation guide must be included.

  5. Include a note with your text stating whether it is in the public domain. If texts are copyrighted, written proof of permission of use must be provided. Texts written by the composer are discouraged.

Submitting the Work

  1. The score PDF should include a page containing the text

  2. The score should be placed in an online location from where we can download it. The filename should contain the composer’s last name and the title, as in this example: “Hindemith Six Chansons.pdf”

  3. An audio file is encouraged in addition to the score, if possible, whether a performance or an electronic rendering. The filename should contain the composer’s last name and the title, as in this example: “Hindemith Six Chansons.mp3”. Any standard audio format is acceptable.

  4. Do not include a title page or other front matter. The first page of music must include composer’s name, phone number, and email address. A page containing the text or other information about the piece may be appended after the score.

  5. Please fill out the form below and submit. It includes options for sharing your links to the score and audio files. If you are unable to provide these links, please write to composers@sfca.org. No one is excluded for not being able to meet this requirement.

Incomplete submissions will NOT be considered.