Swedish Award Seeks Submissions from Women Composers
Written by Black Hot Fire Network Team on January 12, 2026
An international competition has been announced to encourage and showcase the work of women composers in choral music. The competition is open to women of all nationalities, ages, and professional backgrounds.
The competition seeks original compositions for mixed-voice a cappella choirs consisting of four to twelve parts, with a duration of six to seven minutes. Submitted works must be unpublished and not previously performed, and lyrics may be in any language.
Competition Details
The purpose of the award is to inspire new choral compositions and to recognize women composers globally. The winning composition will be published by Gehrmans Musikförlag AB, and the recipient will receive a monetary prize and a diploma. A reputable international jury will evaluate all submissions.
Allmänna Sången
Allmänna Sången, based in Uppsala, Sweden, is a prominent choir established in 1830. It is considered the oldest university choir in Scandinavia. Originally a male student choir, it is now a mixed choir with independent status, while still maintaining connections to local student life and musical traditions.
Competition History
The competition was initiated in 2013 to commemorate Allmänna Sången’s fiftieth anniversary. It has been held five times previously, with past winners including Maria Löfberg (2014), Anna-Karin Klockar (2016), Eva Holm Fosnæs (2019), Gittan Glans (2021), and Erika Hammarberg (2024).
Application Information
Current application terms and deadlines can be found on the Allmänna Sången website or through their social media channels. Inquiries can be sent to info@allmannasangen.se or award@allmannasangen.se.
