IGNITE, C4’s Commissioning Competition, will give three composers the opportunity to write new works for C4: the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective. All three pieces will be premiered in May or June 2026, as part of C4’s 20th Anniversary celebration, in New York City. All winners will receive an award of $1,200.
ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE
C4 exists to enrich artists and audiences alike, through passionate advocacy of new choral works, performing pieces written within the last 25 years, premiering and commissioning new choral works, and mentoring emerging singers, composers, and conductors of today's choral music. C4 is a 24-voice ensemble collectively run by its members, and is one of the few choruses in America dedicated exclusively to performing contemporary music. C4 performs adventurous contemporary programming at a professional level, with stipends to its members making it a semi-professional ensemble. In addition to presenting the music of its own composer members, C4 programs the music of other emerging composers along with that of more established composers, filling an important niche in the cultural life of New York City.
COMPETITION GUIDELINES
Eligibility
C4 welcomes applications from composers of all backgrounds. We encourage composers of marginalized genders and historically underrepresented ethnicities to apply.
C4 is a proponent of stylistic diversity and encourages composers with fresh ideas in choral writing. Submitted works will be adjudicated according to the following criteria:
C4 is a proponent of stylistic diversity and encourages composers with fresh ideas in choral writing. Submitted works will be adjudicated according to the following criteria:
- Freshness/originality of ideas
- Proficiency in choral writing
- Sensitivity to/skill in setting text
- Clarity of notation
Procedure
Composers should submit materials electronically, as explained below, by Sunday, June 15, 2025. A panel of judges, consisting of C4 members, will select approximately twenty semi-finalists. A second panel of distinguished judges from outside of C4 will select three finalists. The finalists will be notified by Monday, September 15, 2025.
The finalists will each compose one new work for C4, to be completed by Friday. January 30, 2026. The works should be a cappella and between four and seven minutes in length. If using text composers must show proof that rights have been secured, or that they are in the public domain. Once a text is chosen by the composer and accepted by C4, it can not be changed. Winning pieces must clearly state: “Commissioned by C4: The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective as part of the 2025-26 IGNITE Competition.”
Finalists are expected to remain in active communication with C4 throughout the composition and rehearsal process. Composers are encouraged to attend rehearsals and/or listen to rehearsal recordings. They may also revise their compositions during the process as they see fit. C4 rehearses on Thursday evenings in Midtown Manhattan and will begin rehearsing the commissioned works in March 2026.
All concerts presented in May/June 2026 containing the commissioned pieces will be recorded and the composers will receive copies. All finalists are strongly encouraged to attend one or both performances of the commissioned works. A travel stipend of up to $600 per composer will help defray the cost of travel for the winning composers; all additional travel costs are the responsibility of the composer. Accommodations with a C4 member will be provided (as needed). The finalists should submit receipts for all of their travel expenses to C4’s treasurer no later than one week following the conclusion of the concerts.
C4 reserves the right to perform the commissioned works indefinitely.
The commissioned works may not be premiered by another ensemble in advance of C4's May/June 2026 performances.
The finalists will each compose one new work for C4, to be completed by Friday. January 30, 2026. The works should be a cappella and between four and seven minutes in length. If using text composers must show proof that rights have been secured, or that they are in the public domain. Once a text is chosen by the composer and accepted by C4, it can not be changed. Winning pieces must clearly state: “Commissioned by C4: The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective as part of the 2025-26 IGNITE Competition.”
Finalists are expected to remain in active communication with C4 throughout the composition and rehearsal process. Composers are encouraged to attend rehearsals and/or listen to rehearsal recordings. They may also revise their compositions during the process as they see fit. C4 rehearses on Thursday evenings in Midtown Manhattan and will begin rehearsing the commissioned works in March 2026.
All concerts presented in May/June 2026 containing the commissioned pieces will be recorded and the composers will receive copies. All finalists are strongly encouraged to attend one or both performances of the commissioned works. A travel stipend of up to $600 per composer will help defray the cost of travel for the winning composers; all additional travel costs are the responsibility of the composer. Accommodations with a C4 member will be provided (as needed). The finalists should submit receipts for all of their travel expenses to C4’s treasurer no later than one week following the conclusion of the concerts.
C4 reserves the right to perform the commissioned works indefinitely.
The commissioned works may not be premiered by another ensemble in advance of C4's May/June 2026 performances.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following by Sunday, June 15, 2025 using the link below.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Two (2) recent contrasting works.
Both scores must be in PDF format, and must have the composer’s name and identifying marks removed; this also includes any identifying marks such as a publishing company owned by the individual, the name of the performing ensemble, or dedications.
Recordings of the submitted works MUST be in mp3 format. MIDI recordings will be accepted, provided that they have been converted to mp3 format. The composer’s name must not appear in the audio file names. Recordings are optional but strongly encouraged.
ADMINISTRATIVE FEE
There is no administrative fee.
Questions
Questions should be sent to [email protected]
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Two (2) recent contrasting works.
- One MUST be for a cappella chorus representing the composer’s current style or approach. This piece may be for any choral voicing and an unlimited number of parts.
- The second work should be a contrasting choral work, if possible. If the applicant does not have a second choral work to submit, a non-choral work will be accepted, with a preference for a vocal work of some type.
Both scores must be in PDF format, and must have the composer’s name and identifying marks removed; this also includes any identifying marks such as a publishing company owned by the individual, the name of the performing ensemble, or dedications.
Recordings of the submitted works MUST be in mp3 format. MIDI recordings will be accepted, provided that they have been converted to mp3 format. The composer’s name must not appear in the audio file names. Recordings are optional but strongly encouraged.
ADMINISTRATIVE FEE
There is no administrative fee.
Questions
Questions should be sent to [email protected]
