Charles Wood Festival Composers’ Competition 2026

The Charles Wood Festival is pleased to announce the return of the composition competition with the aim to inspire composers of all ages. Entrants are invited to compose a new choral setting of ‘Great King of Gods’, a text from Henry Ramsden Bramley (1833–1917) and set by Charles Wood in 1912, published in 1913.

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Three finalists will be invited to Armagh on Thursday 20th August to hear their pieces performed by members of the Charles Wood Singers in front of a distinguished competition jury panel.

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The winning entry will be performed at the Festival’s Gala Concert on Friday 21st August, and a recording of the work will be made.

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The deadline for entries is Wednesday 1st July 2026 at 12pm.

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To enter, please fill out the registration form below. Full competition details and terms and conditions are available here.