Composition Competition

The 2025 AOVICF Composition Competition is open to composers of any nationality, amateur or professional, who are at least 18 years old.
Current members and alumni of the Philippine Madrigal Singers as well as employees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines are not eligible to participate.
Submitted compositions must not have been published or publicly performed.

Composition Requirements

The piece must be written a cappella for mixed choir (SATB) with a maximum of two divisi per voice part (suitable for an intermediate-level choir).
Solo sections are discouraged but may be included, provided they do not exceed 30% of the total duration.
Any language is allowed, but an English translation must be provided if the text is in another language.
If the text is not in the public domain and the composer is not its author, the composer must obtain and submit a written permission from the author of the text or the copyright holder.
The composition must be newly created for this competition and must not have been publicly performed, adjudicated, or published.
The composition must have a duration of no less than 3 minutes and 30 seconds and no more than 6 minutes.
The score must be notated using a standard electronic engraving program (e.g., Sibelius, Finale, Dorico, MuseScore).

Submission Process

Each composer may only submit 1 (one) entry.
Each entry must be submitted via email to secretariat@aovchoralfestph.com with the subject:

"AOVICF 2025 Composition Competition".
Deadline: on or before May 30, 2025, 11:59 PM (GMT+8).
A registration fee must be paid for each entry before submission:
PHP 2,000 for Filipino composers
USD 40 for non-Filipino composers
Pay the fee through this payment guide.

Submission Requirements
Each composer must submit the following:
- Two (2) PDF of the Full Score
  - Filename: (Composer’s Last Name)-(Title).pdf
    - Example: Villanueva-Sing From The Heart.pdf
    - The composer’s name must appear on this version.
  - Filename: (Title).pdf
    - Example: Sing From The Heart.pdf
    - This version must be anonymous (i.e., the composer's name must NOT appear anywhere).
- MP3 File (MIDI Realization)
  - Filename: (Composer’s Last Name)-(Title).mp3
  - Example: Villanueva-Sing From The Heart.mp3
  - Only MIDI realizations are required (they will not affect adjudication).
- PDF of a Short Write-up About the Composition
  - Filename: (Composer’s Last Name)-Writeup.pdf
  - Must be under 200 words, providing insights into the inspiration behind the piece.
- PDF of Composer’s Short Biography
  - Filename: (Composer’s Last Name)-Bio.pdf
- Proof of Payment
  - Access the payment guide on this link.
  - A scanned copy of the deposit slip or a screenshot of the proof of payment for the registration fee.

All entries will be screened anonymously. The composer’s identity will only be revealed after the final results.
A selection committee will ensure all compositions meet the competition requirements. Non-compliant entries will not proceed to final adjudication.
A panel of renowned local and international composers will judge the entries. The jury’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.
The jury reserves the right not to declare a winner if no entry meets the artistic and technical standards.
Feedback or inquiries about adjudication will not be entertained.

Grand Prize Winner: PHP 50,000 + Certificate
Two Runners-up: Certificates
The top three compositions will be premiered by the Philippine Madrigal Singers during the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival closing concert on August 24, 2025.

The winning piece may be selected as the competition piece for the next AOVICF (2027), subject to the discretion of the festival’s artistic panel.
The Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival will have exclusive rights to the winning composition’s performance and publication for two years.
No public performances of the winning piece are permitted prior to AOVICF 2027.