Competitions

Our 2024/25 season includes two competitions open to talented composers and singers alike.
As an ensemble deeply committed to promoting musical excellence, we invite composers to showcase their creativity in one competition, while singers can demonstrate their vocal prowess in another. Scroll down for more details on these exciting opportunities to engage with the London Choral Sinfonia and be part of our musical journey.

LEACH

AWARD

FOR

SINGING

2024

PLEASE NOTE THE DEADLINE FOR ENTERING THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW PASSED AND WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS.

The Competition

Celebrating English song and oratorio, the LCS is proud to be returning for its second year with the Leach Award for Singing, which continues the ensemble’s mission to work with new, emerging talent across the UK and beyond.

This year’s competition will be judged by world-renowned soprano and vocal consultant, Janice Chapman, and LCS Artistic Director, Michael Waldron.

Prizes

First Prize

£1,000 plus an invitation to sing as a soloist with the London Choral Sinfonia at a performance in the 2025/26 season

Second Prize

£500

Accompanist Prize

£300

  • • The competition is open to singers of all classically-trained voice types aged 18–35

    • Please ensure before applying you are available for the semi-final and final dates outlined in the Entry Information, should you be shortlisted

    • If shortlisted, please note on the afternoon of the final, rehearsal time will be allocated between the hours of 2 – 6 pm at St John’s Church, Waterloo

    • The final round of the competition is open to the public and will begin at 7 pm on Tuesday 26 November 2024. Following the concert there will be a drinks reception and photographs, which all finalists are expected to attend

    • Entrants are expected to provide their own pianist

CHRISTMAS

CAROL

COMPETITION

2024

PLEASE NOTE THE DEADLINE FOR ENTERING THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW PASSED AND WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS.

The Competition

The LCS is pleased to announce the return of its Christmas Carol Competition

The competition aims to showcase new and exciting composers, whilst expanding the ensemble’s seasonal repertoire. The winner of the competition will have their piece performed at the London Choral Sinfonia’s concert on Saturday 21 December 2024 as part of the Sinfonia Smith Square Christmas Festival.

Judges

This year’s competition will be judged by LCS Artistic Director Michael Waldron, LCS Composer-in-Residence Owain Park and Director of Music Publishing at Oxford University Press Rachel Lindley.

Prizes

The winner will receive £500 and their piece will be performed at the London Choral Sinfonia’s annual concert as part of the Sinfonia Smith Square Christmas Festival 2024.

  • To enter the competition please submit a PDF of your piece (no midi mock-up is necessary), which must be an original work and not have been performed or recorded before, to admin@thelcs.org by Friday 1 November 2024.

    The winner will be announced on Friday 29 November 2024