Minneapolis (May 29, 2007) – VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum announce a call for scores for the Welcome Christmas! Carol Contest, the tenth annual contest that gives composers of all ages an opportunity to composer a modern-day carol. Composers must submit scores by August 31, 2007 for consideration.

Open to North American composers, this year’s contest requires writing for SATB chorus accompanied by celesta. Up to two winners may be selected to receive a $1,000 prize, and the winning carols will be premiered at the December 1, 2, 8 & 9, 2007 Welcome Christmas! concerts featuring the VocalEssence Chorus and conductor Philip Brunelle. These performances are recorded by Minnesota Public Radio for future national broadcast via American Public Media.

“The celesta, with its sparkling, bell-like sound, is the perfect accompaniment for winter music,” notes VocalEssence Director of Community Engagement, Kimberly Meisten. “This is a wonderful opportunity for composers to keep the tradition of writing Christmas carols alive and well.”

The contest guidelines require that the composition be a world premiere (no prior performance of the submitted work) and that the text be associated with Christmas or a seasonal winter theme. The text can be sacred or secular, medieval to present, original or previously existing. Applications and scores will be screened by American Composers Forum staff. The final selection and programming decisions will be made by VocalEssence artistic director Philip Brunelle and associate conductor Sigrid Johnson. Winning composers will be notified by September 28, 2007.

For more information about the Welcome Christmas! Carol contest, visit www.vocalessence.org, or call VocalEssence Director of Community Engagement Kimberly Meisten (612-547-1456, kmeisten@vocalessence.org). For additional press information, contact Katryn Conlin, 612-547-1459 or kconlin@vocalessence.org.