The Manhattan Choral Ensemble seeks submissions from composers living within 50 miles of New York City to submit a short (2.5 – 3 minutes) a cappella work for SATB chorus that evokes life in New York City. The work should be a new composition that has not yet been premiered. Works should require approximately three hours of rehearsal to prepare for performance and should not contain individual solos. Click here for examples of the level of difficulty of previous compositions.

We welcome using texts written by living writers. It is the responsibility of the composer to secure permission to use any texts not in the public domain. Previous winners are ineligible. Only one submission per composer.

Three winners will be chosen by a committee comprising MCE Director Thomas Cunningham and Artistic Advisors, George Andoniadis and Rich Campbell. Each winner will receive a $750 award and a performance by the Manhattan Choral Ensemble at its Feb 24, 2024, concert at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music. Prior to the performance, the composers will be asked to attend a rehearsal to discuss their piece with the choir. Additionally, one work will be voted on by the audience for an additional award on the night of the performance. The composer of the chosen work will receive an additional $750. Submissions must be received by December 15, 2023. Electronic submissions are acceptable. There is no fee to apply. Submissions should be emailed to info@mce.nyc or (if not possible to send electronically) mailed to:

Manhattan Choral Ensemble
PO Box 3852
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-3852