Competition opens in 2025
About the Student Competition
To further its mission to promote choral music and ensure its future, ACDA established the Raymond W. Brock Memorial Student Composition Competition in 1998. The objectives of the contest are to acknowledge and reward outstanding high school, undergraduate, and graduate student composers, to encourage choral composition of the highest caliber, and to further promote student activity at ACDA conferences.
The winner will be awarded a $5,000 cash prize and complimentary conference registration at their regional ACDA conference. The winning composition will be performed at all six regional ACDA conferences; the winner is expected to attend the performance at their own region’s conference. (Prize money can be used toward travel/hotel expenses.)
Eligibility:
The composer must be a current Student Member of ACDA ($15 annual dues). Submitted works must not be traditionally published but may have been previously premiered/performed; self-published works are eligible for the Brock Student contest. (This differs from the Brock Professional contest). Composers may submit only one work per competition. Not a student member? Learn more and join at www.acda.org/membership
Works may be for any voicing (mixed voice, treble, or tenor/bass choirs) and may include divisi. Works under six minutes in length will receive priority consideration due to performance time constraints. Works may be a cappella (keyboard reduction must be included) or may be accompanied by keyboard and/or 1-2 other instrumental players. Any difficulty level may be submitted, but writing that reflects knowledge of the voice and the choir is much more valuable than mere “difficulty for difficulty’s sake.” Judges will evaluate entries based on the strength of creative ideas, craftsmanship, reflected knowledge of writing for the voice and the choir, skill in text-setting, and overall impact of the work.
Submission Guidelines:
Submit online through the link below. You will need a PDF of your score (anonymous; all names and identifying information must be removed from the file), permission from the copyright holder (if applicable), and a translation of the text (if not in English). A recording (MIDI or live performance) is optional; its presence or quality is not a factor in judging.
For questions, please email Brandon Boyd, Brock Prize Chair, at
Brock Prize for Student Composers Past Winners
2023
On the Hillside by Patrick Vu, Texas Tech University [Learn More]
Premiering at the 2024 Region Conferences
2021
The Rose That Bare Jesu by Duncan Tuomi, University of Southern California
2019
Shall I Compare Thee? by Kara Stacy, Florida Southern College
2017
Peace Flows Into Me by Matthew Hazzard, California State University – Long Beach
2016
I Am by Kelsey Hohnstein, Texas Tech University
Performed during the 2017 ACDA National Conference
by the Riverside City College Chamber Singers
2015
Forgiven Tears by Alex Berko, Indiana University
Performed during the 2016 ACDA Central Division Conference by Indiana University NOTUS
2014
Spells of Herrick by Andrew Steffen, Oklahoma State University
Performed during the 2015 ACDA National Conference by the Utah State University Chamber Singers
2013
Unto Young Eternity by Matthew Emery, University of British Columbia
Performed during the 2014 ACDA Northwestern Division Conference by the University of Puget Sound Adelphian Choir
2012
Redemption Mass by Julian Bryson, University of Kentucky
Performed at the 2013 ACDA National Conference by the University of Louisville Cardinal Singers
2011
Two Prayers for Sabbath Evening: II. Oseh Shalom by Joshua Fishbein, University of California – Los Angeles
Performed at the 2012 Western Division Conference by the CSU Fullerton University Singers
2010
Crossing the Bar by Michael Mills, University of Utah
Performed at the 2011 National Conference by Millikin University
2009
Psalm 100 by Derek Myler, Weber State University
Performed at the 2010 Western Division Conference by the University of Utah Singers
2008
Absalon, Fili Mi by Benjamin May, Westminster Choir College
Performed at the 2009 National Conference
2007
In Monte Oliveti by Kristen Walker, William Jewell College
Performed at the 2008 Southwestern Division Conference by the University of Kansas Concert Choir
2006
The Souls Passing by Dominick DiOrio, Yale University
Performed at the 2007 National Conference by the Florida State University Singers
2005
Selah by Dan Forrest, University of Kansas
Performed at the 2006 Southwestern Division Conference by the Houston Baptist University Schola Cantorum
2004
Kyrie by Kentaro Sato, California State University-Northridge
Performed at the 2005 National Conference by the California State University Northridge Singers
2003
Lux Aeterna by Brian Schmidt, South Dakota State University
Performed at the 2004 North Central Division Conference by the Luther College Collegiate Chorale
2002
Musica Anima Tangens by Joshua Shank, Luther College
Performed at the 2003 National Conference by the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants
2001
Choric Song by Michael Conti, Michigan State University
Performed at the 2002 Central Division Conference by the Millikin University Choir
2000
Stabat Mater by Aaron Garber, University of Tennessee
Performed at the 2001 National Conference by the East Texas Baptist University Concert Choir
1999
Nunc Dimittis by Daniel Pinkston, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Performed at the 2000 Southwestern Division Conference by the Ouachita Baptist University Singers
1998
Flanders Field by Paul A. Aitken, University of Oklahoma
Performed at the 1999 National Conference by the University of Mississippi Concert Singers
