Houston Chamber Choir International Choral Conducting Competition

Choral conductors who are 40 years of age or younger at the time of the final round of the competition, June 5, 2027 are invited to participate in the inaugural Houston Chamber Choir International Choral Conducting Competition hosted in Houston, TX.

• Applicant cannot be a current Board member, Advisory Board member, singer, or employee of the Houston Chamber Choir. The applicant is responsible for all materials required to enter the United States if they are not a United States citizen.

Submission of three documents submitted by January 4, 2027.  

1. Document #1 as a PDF – a copy of passport/ID-card, as proof of birthdate.

2. Document #2 as a JPEG or PNG – headshot, preferably in color

3. Document #3 as a PDF format that includes:

• Full name

• Curriculum Vitae

• Postal/Mailing Address

• Email Address

• Phone Number

• Birthdate of applicant

• URL-links to two video recordings of the applicant’s work:

• One video of 8-10 minutes demonstrating a performance (audience not needed) of a piece/pieces with a choir or vocal ensemble. This video may include two different performances, but may not exceed 10 minutes.

• One video of 8-10 minutes from a rehearsal with a choir or vocal ensemble.

Please note that:

• The repertoire in the two videos with choir or vocal ensembles must be contrasting – for example, one video with classical/romantic repertoire and one with contemporary repertoire.

• Both performances must be unaccompanied.

• In both videos, the conductor’s instructions should be spoken in English.

• The videos must show the applicant from the front (from the choir’s perspective).

• The videos may be shortened, but may not be edited in any other way.

• The audio must be of good quality.

• Application videos should be uploaded to a YouTube account or similar channel (the video must be “unlisted”, not “private”). Don’t forget to share the URL-links in the first document of your application.

• All videos must be recorded in 2025, 2026, or 2027, and this must be clearly indicated in the videos.

• Please submit your application in one e-mail (with your two PDF-files and one .jpeg or .png headshot attached) to ccc@houstonchamberchoir.org.

• Deviations from the application requirements may result in disqualification.

• The application deadline is January 4, 2027.

A panel of experts will evaluate the materials and will select three finalists. The announcement of finalists will take place on or before February 4, 2027. The finalists will receive repertoire packets at this time. Finalists will prepare a repertoire packet of approximately 75 minutes of unaccompanied music in a variety of styles. It will consist of three, different 25-minute programs of music, similar in length, difficulty, and stylistic variety, including languages, that each conductor will rehearse and perform. The drawing of repertoire will be at the start of Round 2. Conductors are expected to prepare all 75 minutes, but will only rehearse and perform one set.

All Round 2 events will take place in Houston, Texas, USA.

Thursday, June 3, 2027:

Reception, 7:30 p.m. at location TBA

• Reception for patrons, singers, and finalists.

• Introduction of finalists.

• Drawing of repertoire. Each conductor will rehearse and perform one-third of the repertoire packet sent in February, i.e. about 25 minutes of music.

• Drawing of rehearsal order for the first rehearsal.

Friday, June 4, 2027:

Rehearsal #1, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. location TBA

A distinguished panel of judges will observe and evaluate this rehearsal. This rehearsal will be open to the public.

• 7:00 p.m. – Introduction of Conductor #1

• 7:05 p.m. – Conductor #1 rehearsal

• 7:55 p.m. – Introduction of Conductor #2

• 8:00 p.m. – Conductor #2 rehearsal

• 8:50 p.m. – Break

• 9:05 p.m. – Introduction of Conductor #3

• 9:10 p.m. – Conductor #3 rehearsal

• 10:00 p.m. – Adjourn

Saturday, June 5, 2027 (afternoon):

Rehearsal #2, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. location TBA

A distinguished panel of judges will observe and evaluate this rehearsal. This rehearsal is will be open to the public.

• 1:00 p.m. – Introduction of Conductor #3

• 1:05 p.m. – Conductor #3 rehearsal

• 1:55 p.m. – Introduction of Conductor #1

• 2:00 p.m. – Conductor #1 rehearsal

• 2:50 p.m. – Break

• 3:05 p.m. – Introduction of Conductor #2

• 3:10 p.m. – Conductor #2 rehearsal

• 4:00 p.m. – Adjourn

Saturday, June 5, 2027 (evening):

Concert, 7:30 p.m. at South Main Baptist Church

A distinguished panel of judges will observe and evaluate this concert and determine the first, second, and third place winners. This will be a ticketed event.

• 7:30 p.m. – Introduction of three finalists. Drawing of concert order.

• 7:40 p.m. – Performance #1

• 8:10 p.m. – Performance #2

• 8:40 p.m. – Performance #3

• 9:10 p.m. – Break; Judges will deliberate

• TBA – Announcement of 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place winners.

Sunday, June 6, 2027: Finalists return home.

Finalists are responsible for providing their transportation to and from Houston, although finalists who reside outside North America, will receive a $1,000 travel grant. Once in Houston, lodging with host families, meals, and local transportation, including to and from the Houston airport(s), will be provided by the Houston Chamber Choir.

• 1st Place Prize — $5,000 USD plus a contract to conduct the Houston Chamber Choir in a full concert during the 2027-2028 season! (includes travel, lodging, meals, local transportation, and guest conductor fee)

• 2nd place prize — $2,000 USD

• 3rd place prize — $1,000 USD