TMChoir Choral Composition Competition

Emerging composers – new works

The TMChoir launched a new annual Choral Composition Competition for emerging composers in June 2015. The winners of this competition receive the Debbie Fleming Prize for Choral Composition.

TMChoir is proud that its Choral Composition Competition brings new works from emerging composers to Canadian choral music. The winners of the competition receive the Debbie Fleming Prize for Choral Composition in the amount of $1,000, and the winning work is premiered by the TMChoir at one of their concerts.

Debbie Fleming is a TMChoir alumna who sang in the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir for 40 years and who retired in June 2015. TMChoir is grateful for Debbie’s commitment to the enrichment of TMChoir’s education program and to the growth of Canadian choral music.

2024/2025 Competition

TMChoir accepts submissions from emerging composers who currently work, live or study in Canada.

Works to be submitted must be:

No more than 5 minutes in length.
A sacred or secular work. The composed work should be accessible to a wide range of listeners.
Original, rather than an arrangement of a pre-existing work or melody.
Scored for SATB (divisi optional), a cappella or with piano accompaniment.
Composed using a text that is 1) original (written by the composer), 2) in the public domain, or 3) under copyright, but with written permission of the copyright holder. We encourage composers to choose text by a poet from an underrepresented community.
In manuscript produced using music notation software.
Written in open score with a piano reduction underneath for a cappella works.
Must not have been commissioned, published, performed or recorded at the time of entry, and must remain so until premiered by TMChoir.

TMChoir Artistic Director Jean-Sébastien Vallée will chair a jury of music experts who will review the anonymized applications. The decision of the jury is final.

Submission Details

Please submit 2 copies of your work online through the online submission form – one with your name and one without.
Deadline to submit works is Friday, January 17, 2025

Start Your Submission

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir welcomes and encourages submissions from composers who identify as various races, genders, abilities, and sexual orientations. The Choir is committed to eliminating systemic barriers and to a more inclusive experience. We are focused on fostering creative spaces that are safe, respectful and accessible for everyone. Read the TMChoir’s statement of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Previous Prize winners

2023/2024: Justin Lapierre of Ottawa, Ontario for: Lux Aeterna.

This work was performed at the TMChoir’s May 25th, 2024 Choral Conducting Symposium concluding concert. Access the full house program here.

2022/2023: Kai Leung of Toronto, Ontario for: There Will Come Soft Rains.

This work was performed at the TMChoir’s May 5th, 2023 Choral Conducting Symposium concluding concert.

2021/2022: Benjamin Sigerson of Vancouver, British Columbia for: Of Rest.

This work was performed at the TMChoir’s June 28th, 2022 Choral Conducting Symposium concluding concert.

2020/2021: Alastair Boyd of Toronto, Ontario for: A Hymn on the Nativity.

This work was recorded by TMChoir choristers from home during the pandemic and was premiered as part of the Choir’s virtual Festival of Carols 2020 program.