Vanguard Voices is proud to sponsor Vanguard Premieres, an initiative to promote the creation of new choral works by established and aspiring composers. Introduced in 2003, the program is a combination of commissions, composition contests, and world premiere performances of each new work.

Vanguard Premieres Choral Composition Contest 2012

Composers with a unique creative voice and clear compositional ability are invited to participate in the Vanguard Premieres Choral Composition Contest 2012. Two $1,000 prizes will be awarded; winning compositions in the General and Emerging Composers Categories will be premiered by Vanguard Voices, a 70-voice, mixed adult community choir based in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.A. Deadline for receipt of entries is Friday, APRIL 13, 2012.

Vanguard Premieres Contest Guidelines and Entry Form

Vanguard Voices Repertoire History

For additional information, please contact:

Vanguard Premieres
Henry Ford Community College  •  5101 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128-1495, USA
Telephone: (313) 317-6566 
E-mail: premieres@vanguardvoices.org

 

Vanguard Voices is pleased to announce the final results of the 2010 contest. 105 contest entries were received from composers of fifteen nationalities from thirteen different countries.

Winner - General Category (all composers)
Frank LaRocca (California, USA)
The Divine Image, an eloquent a cappella setting of the poem by William Blake, with subtly
shifting textures and unique, acoustically pleasing voicings which highlight the main themes of
the text, “Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love.”

Winner - Emerging Composers Category (composers age 18 - 30)
Mark Buller (Maryland, USA)
Sicut Cervus, a poignant a cappella setting of the familiar text from Psalm 42, incorporating
flowing parallel sixths in the tenor and bass, evoking the streams for which the hart longeth,
and spare, yet effective, use of blue notes which add strategic melodic and harmonic color.

Honorable Mention
Alleluia - Emitte Spiritum Tuum  Erin Aas, Washington, USA
Dos Palabras   Ivo Antognini, Switzerland
Sanctus   David Jones, Texas, USA
Unsubdued   Christopher Cooley, New York, USA

All six compositions were premiered by Vanguard Voices on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, Dearborn, Michigan, USA.

Vanguard Premieres Choral Composition Contest 2008

Vanguard Voices is pleased to announce the final results of the 2008 contest. Seventy-eight entries were received from composers of nineteen nationalities from twelve different countries.

Winner - General Category (all composers)
John Reeman (England)
The Peace of God, an evocative setting for SATB and organ of the text “The peace of God which passes all understanding…” from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

Winner - Emerging Composers Category (composers age 18 - 30)
Michael Gilbertson (New York, USA)
Two Medieval Carols, beautiful and exciting settings for SATB with piano of the texts “Of one who is so fair and bright…” and “Make we merry for now is the time of Christmas.”

These two compositions were premiered by Vanguard Voices on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at the
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, Dearborn, Michigan, USA.

Honorable Mention
These compositions were premiered during the 2008-2009 season.

The Bugle   Jason Heald, Oregon - May 31, 2009
O Magnum Mysterium   David Madeira, Tennessee - December 13, 2008
Observe the Wonders   Jeffrey Cobb, Michigan - May 31, 2009
Snow Change   Christina Whitten Thomas, California - December 13, 2008

Vanguard Premieres Choral Composition Contest 2006

Vanguard Voices is pleased to announce the final results of the 2006 contest. More than 90 entries were received from 12 countries and 31 states.

Winner - General Category (all composers)
Guy Forbes (Illinois, USA)
O Nata Lux, a lush, beautiful a cappella setting for mixed chorus, in strophic/refrain form,
with subtle, lovely variations.

Winner - Emerging Composers Category (composers age 18 - 30)
Dan Forrest (Kansas, USA)
You Are The Music, a bold and dramatic setting of a very “musical” text for mixed chorus, horn in f,
and piano, which features an angular, powerful melody.

These two compositions were premiered by Vanguard Voices on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at the
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, Dearborn, Michigan, USA.

Honorable Mention
These compositions were premiered during the 2006-2007 season.

Pater Noster   Sungji Hong, South Korea - June, 10, 2007*
At Midnight   Mark Dal Porto, New Mexico - June 3, 2007
The Lightener Of The Stars   Christopher Beardsley, United Kingdom - June 3, 2007
Listen To The Music   Marco Burak, Canada - June 3, 2007
O, Only For So Short A While   Mary Ann Joyce-Walter, New York - June 3, 2007
Tres Canciones Para La Madre Bendecida   Antonio Martinez, Texas - December 15, 2006

* were premiered by Renaissance Voices & Con Spirito - G. Kevin Dewey, Director

Vanguard Premieres Choral Composition Contest 2004

Vanguard Voices is pleased to announce the winning compositions for the first-ever Vanguard Premieres Choral Composition Contest. Over 120 entries were received from 27 states and 9 countries.

Winner - General Category (all composers)
Larry A. Christiansen (California, USA)
Choral Suite, an a cappella collection of delightful and challenging settings of poems by five different authors.

Winner - Emerging Composers Category (composers age 18 - 30)
Antonio Gervasoni (Lima, Peru)
A-nir, a dramatic, and at times intense, a cappella setting of an ancient Sumerian text.

These two compositions were premiered by Vanguard Voices on Sunday, June 5, 2005 at the
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, Dearborn, Michigan, USA.

Honorable Mention
These compositions were premiered during the 2004-2005 season.

O Bone Jesu   William So - December 5, 2004*
A Basque Lullaby   Dan Forrest - December 18, 2004
Gloria   Edmund Jolliffe - December 18, 2004
Gloria   Ryan D. Neaveill - December 18, 2004
Psalm 42   Andrew Bleckner - April 24, 2005*
When Your Song Rang Out to Me   Mark Dal Porto - June 5, 2005
Eli, Eli!   Frank La Rocca - June 5, 2005
Usquequo, Domine?   Dan Pinkston - June 5, 2005
The Earth Is the Lord’s   Alan Smith - June 5, 2005
Olympiad   John White - June 5, 2005

* were premiered by Renaissance Voices & Con Spirito - G. Kevin Dewey, Director

Steven Errante (North Carolina, USA)
Sing To The Lord A New Song, a joyous and uplifting composition
for mixed chorus, with piano, brass quintet and percussion accompaniment
Premiered June 2003

Augustus O. Hill (Michigan, USA)
Psalms Of Praise, an exciting and rhythmic a cappella work
Premiered December 2004

Stuart Scott (Michigan, USA)
Season Sonnets, an evocative setting of sonnets by four different poets with piano accompaniment
Premiered June 2006