The Harold Smart Memorial Composition Competition 2026

Music must be set to the Collect for the RSCM Centenary:

God of grace and glory,
through the gift of music
you enable us to share in creation’s praise:
send your Spirit upon all who sing and play,
that through their ministry
we may know your glory in our midst,
and with hearts and minds renewed,
may join our voice with the eternal song of heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Composition Requirements:

• Original short anthem for a choir of modest ability, suitable for singing in a church service.
• Settings must be for no more than 4 (undivided) voices parts (ie SATB is the fullest scoring but fewer voices eg SA or ATB would be acceptable).
• Settings can be accompanied or a cappella.
• The accompaniment must be performable by an organist or pianist of Gd V/VI standard
• The anthem must not exceed 3 minutes duration.