The FYFE Composition Prize
The Sewanee Church Music Conference was founded in 1951, and since then it has been a leader in continuing education for liturgical church musicians. In 2017 the conference board established the Peter & Lois Fyfe Composition Prize for choral anthems. The board is pleased to announce that the 2024 Fyfe Prize will be for a solo organ composition. Submissions are currently being accepted. The deadline is March 15, 2024. The winners will be announced here on April 1, 2024. The winning composition will be performed at the 2024 Sewanee Church Music Conference of 100+ church musicians from across the United States.
- Opportunity: The Sewanee Church Music Conference seeks original, unpublished works for solo organ or organ with instrument(s). (e.g. organ with brass quintet)
- Award: Cash prize of $3000.00 US will be awarded, PLUS the winner will have his/her work performed at the 2024 Sewanee Church Music Conference.
- Application deadline: Submissions must be received by March 15, 2024
- Award notification: April 1, 2024
- Eligibility: no restrictions with regard to age, gender, nationality, etc.
- Submission fee: Initial submissions require a $35 entry fee. Additional pieces may be submitted for $25 each, payable by major credit or debit card through the link below, or by check submitted by submission deadline.
- Overview: We are seeking unpublished solo organ works (or organ with instrument(s)) appropriate for a Christian worship service, not to exceed 7 minutes in length.
- Products of commissions are not eligible.
- Works based on hymn tunes in the public domain are preferable but not required. Works not based on hymn tunes are acceptable, but should be suitable for use in a liturgical service. Works based on hymn tunes under copyright must be submitted with documentation of permission for use from the copyright holder.
- Original compositions only - no transcriptions or arrangements of other composers' works.
- Entries should be of moderate difficulty, challenging is fine, but not virtuosic; accessible to a competent parish organist.
- Products of commissions are not eligible.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS & COPYRIGHTS
- Composers may submit as many works as they like.
- The composer retains all rights to his/her work. The winning composition, if subsequently published, must bear the inscription: "Winner of the 2024 Peter & Lois Fyfe Composition Prize, sponsored by the Sewanee Church Music Conference" underneath the title of the piece.
- Submissions must be in Portable Data File (pdf) format that can be edited for anonymity and cataloging.
- Recordings are strongly encouraged. Recordings must be in standard mp3 format as an upload - no links.
- Submissions must be "blind copies." (Nothing to identify the composer.)
- On the form below we ask for your name, address, phone number and email address so you may be contacted if you are awarded. We ask for a brief composer biography and any performance history.
FYFE FAQs
Q: Can other instruments in addition to organ be included?
A: Yes, optional solo instruments or ensemble instruments are fine. For other situations, contact the Competition Coordinator.
Q: I still have unanswered questions - how do I get answers?
A: Call or email the Competition Coordinator, E. L. DuBose (see below).
Deadline: Submissions must be received by March 15, 2024
If there are any questions, or if you have difficulty submitting your entry, please contact the Competition Coordinator (E. L. DuBose) directly.
Thanks, and good luck!
E. L. DuBose, Competition Coordinator
(334) 313-0667
fyfeprize@gmail.com
If there are any questions, or if you have difficulty submitting your entry, please contact the Competition Coordinator (E. L. DuBose) directly.
Thanks, and good luck!
E. L. DuBose, Competition Coordinator
(334) 313-0667
fyfeprize@gmail.com