With this competition, the University of Notre Dame Basilica Schola aims to encourage composers to write new works for mixed voices for use in the liturgy. We are looking specifically for music that serves well in a Roman Catholic context but also across the wider church, and therefore in various years will be drawing on Biblical texts as well as hymn texts. This year’s competition will give special consideration to composers who incorporate the given text, new musical material, and musical material (including tunes) borrowed from jazz or popular music idioms. Composers are welcome to indicate via notes in the submitted score the ways in which their composition reflects that directive.

The winning piece will be premiered during the celebration of Sunday Vespers in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. It must be no longer than 4 1/2 minutes in length in order to comfortably fit within that liturgy.

All United States residents in the 50 states over the age of 18 are eligible to enter the competition. Entry is free of charge. The winner(s) will be contacted by January 30, signed affidavits from the winners will be due by February 3, and the winner(s) will be publicly announced by February 6, 2023.

Only one $1000 prize is to be awarded for this competition. The panel reserves the right not to award any prize.

The winning entry/entries will be sung by the Notre Dame Basilica Schola in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart during a Vespers liturgy at the University of Notre Dame, and the work will be considered for other performances in concerts, tours, and recording projects.