Competition – Middle & High School

Canadian composer D. Geoffrey Bell at Hillview Cottage Music invites Middle & High School choirs from around the world to participate in a brand new competition! Choirs are invited to submit a video or audio recording of their best performance of the competition piece.

Competition opens: January 1st, 2026
Closes: March 31st, 2026

Competition piece: “Clapping Around the World”, published by Hillview Cottage Music: https://dgeoffreybell.com/clapping-around-the-world/

FIRST PRIZE:

  • Your recording will be posted on the composer’s website and other social media, showcasing your choir’s capabilities
    Example: https://dgeoffreybell.com/come-with-me-to-the-sea/
    If a major publisher such as Cypress Choral Music accepts it for publication, your recording would likely be posted on their website, greatly increasing the size of your audience
  • Your choir will receive a free “synchronization licence”, allowing you to post your recording online on your own choir’s website, social media, YouTube, etc.
  • Your choir will also receive a free “mechanical license”, allowing you to sell copies of your recording to your fans
  • Your choir will also receive a brand-new piece of choral music from Hillview Cottage Music, tailored to your choir’s needs. This will include sufficient copies for each performer, including the accompanist(s) and conductor

SECOND PRIZE:

  • Your recording will be posted on the composer’s website and other social media, showcasing your choir’s excellent performance
  • Your choir will receive a free “synchronization licence”, allowing you to post your recording online on your choir’s website, social media, YouTube, etc.
  • Your choir will also receive a free “mechanical license”, allowing you to sell copies of your recording to your fans

REQUIREMENTS:

  1. The choir must have purchased one copy of “Clapping Around the World” for each performer, plus one for the conductor.
    (Eg. a choir with 23 members will purchase 24 copies)
    Scores will be sold for a reduced price of $2 each during the competition.
  2. Make either a video or audio recording of your best performance; one that you would be proud to share online with the world!
  3. Submit audio recordings in mp3 format, or submit a link to your video recording so the judges can evaluate it.
  4. There is no entry fee, apart from purchasing music.

JUDGING:
Recordings that meet the requirements outlined above will be evaluated by a panel of judges with backgrounds in choral music and music education. Judges will consider:

– clear enunciation of lyrics
– musicianship / musical performance
– recording quality suitable for posting online
– any other factors that demonstrate excellence

The judges may decide not to award either prize at their discretion. The decision of the judges is final.

Winning entries will be announced in the first week of April 2026.

QUESTIONS?
Questions can be directed to hillviewcottagemusic@gmail.com

© 2026 Hillview Cottage Music