[Diocese of Los Angeles] Music composers ages 18 – 25 are invited to compete for a cash prize for an original choral anthem in honor of National LGBT Coming Out Day. The $1,000 prize will be awarded by the Bishop W. Bertrand Stevens Foundation, whose purpose is to strengthen the connection between youth and the church. The anthem will be performed by professional musicians at the Coming Out Day Liturgy on Oct. 6 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Long Beach.

Judging the contest will be:
Robert Istad, associate professor of music, CSU Fullerton; assistant conductor of Pacific Chorale.
James Buonemani, organist and choirmaster, St. James’ Episcopal Church, Los Angeles.
Christopher Gravis,  choirmaster, St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church;  conductor, Orange County Choral Society.

Criteria for submissions

The text setting for all entries is the ancient prayer “O Gracious Light” (Phos hilaron):

O gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

— The Book of Common Prayer, p.118

The setting must be written for SATB Choir with a maximum divisi of SSAATTBB.  The setting may be either unaccompanied or include organ accompaniment.

The preferred performance duration of the setting is 4 to 6 minutes in length.

The score must be submitted in a fixed and tangible form with all parts clearly notated.

If there is no composition worthy of the prize, the judges reserve the right to forfeit a winning entry, with each score returned without indemnity or intended harm.

Instructions for submissions

1.  Submit the original composition in a large envelope. In the interest of anonymity and fairness, the composer’s name must NOT be visible on the score.

2.  In the large envelope, include a smaller sealed envelope with a completed information sheet. The adjudicating team will issue a numbering system to categorize entries. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to have score returned.

3.  Entries must be postmarked by June 1, 2013. Announcement of the winning composition will be made via U.S. Mail by mid-July.

4.  Mail submissions to:

Christopher Gravis, Choirmaster
St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church
18631 Chapel Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646