
One Minute Choral Composition (OMCC) –
Call for Scores!
A platform for amateur and student composers in Hong Kong to hear their music come to life, collaborate with HKYC, and learn from well-established composers.
Bring your music to life with the Hong Kong Youth Choir! One Minute Choral Composition (OMCC) invites local amateur and student composers to submit original, short-form works. Whether your piece is premiered live or receives expert written feedback, this program is designed to nurture your unique musical voice.
WHY APPLY?
If Selected:
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World Premiere: Your piece will be premiered live during HKYC's concerts and recorded.
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Hands-on Collaboration: Gain real-world experience across 3 rehearsals, communicating directly with the conductor, choir, and well-established composers to get active feedback.
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Exposure: Featured on HKYC's social media platforms plus 2 complimentary tickets to the concert.
If Not Selected:
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Constructive Feedback: Every unselected composition will receive personal, written comments from Music Director Mr. Christopher Cheng and Composer-in-Residence Ms. Bonnie Yung.
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Recognition: A certificate of participation to acknowledge your work.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to any Hong Kong citizen or resident self-identifying as an amateur or student composer.
CATEGORIES
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Primary School Students
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Secondary School Students
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University Students
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Open Category
Note for Applicants: If you belong to category 1, 2, or 3, you are also eligible to submit a separate piece to the Open Category! (Limit: 1 submission per category).
COMPOSITION & FORMAT REQUIREMENTS
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Musical Specs:
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Duration: Around one minute.
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Voicing: Unaccompanied SATB mixed choir (Divisi allowed for no more than 20% of the work).
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Suggested Vocal Range:
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Soprano: A3–A5
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Alto: F3–F5
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Tenor: C3–F4
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Bass: G2–E3
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Text & Rights:
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Language: Any language (Chinese, English, or Latin strongly recommended).
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Copyright: Text must be in the public domain or have documented copyright permission.
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Exclusivity: Must be unpublished, not previously performed, and never awarded a prize in any other competition.
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File Format: Must be submitted as a PDF typeset in music engraving software (hand-written scores are not accepted).
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Anonymity is not required.
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Audio mockups (MP3 or MIDI) are highly encouraged but optional.
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TIMELINE & KEY DATES
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20 July 2026: Submission Deadline
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14 Aug 2026: Announcement / Notification of Selected Compositions
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21 Aug 2026: Feedback & Certificates dispatched for unselected works
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26 Aug, 2 Sept, 9 Sept 2026: Rehearsals (Selected composers must attend at least 1 session)
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12 Sept 2026: Premiere Concert
ADVISORY PANEL
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Prof. Chan Wing Wah, Associate Dean of the School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
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Prof. Chan Kai-Young, Associate Professor, Composition, Department of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Dr. Joyce Wai-chung Tang, Lecturer, School of Music, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
JUDGING CRITERIA
Focus is placed on Originality, Creativity, and how effectively the text matches the music.
READY TO SHARE YOUR VOICE?
For enquiries, please contact info@hkyc.org.
OMCC is inspired by and adapted from the One Minute Orchestral Work project by the National Symphony Orchestra & Interplay (interactive workshops for composers) by Vancouver Chamber Choir.



