The Melbourne Anglican Cultural Organisation invites young and emerging composers to take part in a new composition competition celebrating sacred music, creativity and faith.
Finalist works will be performed by a professional consort at a private evening event at Bishopscourt on Thursday 7 May 2026, hosted by the Archbishop of Melbourne and the Melbourne Anglican Foundation.
Submissions are due Tuesday 7th of April.
Interested?
Fill out the Expression of Interest form using the button below and we will contact you with updates and reminders throughout the process.
Archbishop's Prize for Best Emerging Composer
For Melbourne-based composers aged 18 – 35.
Archbishop's Prize for Best Young
Composer
For students in Years 9 – 12 attending an Anglican School or Church within the Diocese of Melbourne.
The Competition
Entrants are to compose an original work set to the following text:
Psalm 46 (NIV)
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
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Entry Requirements:
1. The piece may be set to all or part of the text, but verse 10 (bolded above) must be included.
2. Final performances will be given by a four-voice professional SATB consort (one soprano, one alto, one tenor and one bass). Compositions may be written for any combination of these voices - from a solo or duet through to full SATB - with optional piano accompaniment.
3. Keep in mind that the singers available have standard ranges for voice types. If you require clarification on the performance singers' exact ranges please feel free to send an email to foundation@melbourneanglicanfoundation.au
4. Your piece must be no longer than 5 minutes in duration.
Works will be judged on originality, musicality and interpretation of the text.
To ensure suitability for performance in churches across the Diocese of Melbourne, composers are encouraged to balance creativity and virtuosity with accessibility. Parish choirs often work within limited rehearsal time, and pieces that are musically rich yet achievable will have lasting impact.
Key Dates:
Competition opens: Monday 15 February 2026
Submissions close: Tuesday 7 April 2026
Final performance event: Thursday 7 May 2026
Note - late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
How to Enter:
To be eligible, entrants must submit via the official online form (found at the top of this page):
The composition in sheet music form
A signed Entry Application Form
Please note:
Entrants to the Archbishop's Prize for Young Composers (Y 9 -12) must have their application form signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Entries with multiple composers are permitted, provided each composer signs a separate Entry Application Form.
Incomplete or non-compliant entries will be deemed invalid.
All entries must be original works prepared without the use of AI and must not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party.
Prizes
Where entries are co-composed, prizes are shared.
Emerging Composers (18 - 35)
First Prize: $ 2,500
Second Prize: $ 1,000
Third Prize: $ 500
Young Composers (Y 9 - 12)
First, second and third place recipients will receive non-financial prizes in recognition of their achievement.
Important Conditions:
Participation is open to all persons who meet the eligibility criteria
Employees, officials and volunteers of the Melbourne Anglican Foundation Ltd. are not eligible.
Entrants may be invited to participate in publicity connected with the competition.
Full Conditions of Entry are available below and on the application form and must be agreed to prior to submission.
An Invitation
Psalm 46 proclaims God as refuge, strength and sovereign Lord over the nations. We invite composers to respond creatively and thoughtfully to this profound text.
This competition seeks both technical excellence and music that serves the Church - music that can be sung, shared and sustained within the life of our parishes.
This is one of the many life-changing ministries the Melbourne Anglican Foundation is proud to support. Together, we answer Christ’s call to love and serve our neighbours.
Your tax-deductible donation becomes not only an act of compassion – but a sustaining life-line.
Every gift matters. Every gift transforms lives.
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