Now Accepting Compositions!

The Georgia Young Composers Festival (GYCF) is a composition contest that will bring together high school and collegiate music composition students from the state of Georgia, introducing them and their works to today's audiences. Sponsored by the DeKalb Choral Guild, the GYCF will give these young people at the beginning of their careers a chance to work with an accomplished community chorus, give the music community an introduction to its newest faces, and give the public a chance to hear the latest music being produced in Georgia schools and colleges. Through this event, the DeKalb Choral Guild hopes to recognize the great talent present in our state's students, and thereby encourage the continuation of the choral arts.

Meet Our Finalists - These are some of Georgia's best and brightest young composers

Latest News

6 May 2009 - Join our Facebook Event!

Take advantage of social networking and sign up for our Facebook Event page.

4 May 2009 - Press Room Updated

We have prepared press releases, audience letters and flyers for the concert.

1 April 2009 - Finalists Announced

The DeKalb Choral Guild is pleased to announce our four collegiate and one high school finalist.  These talented students have produced amazing works of great diversity and beauty.  The Guild has already started to rehearse their works.  Meet Our Finalists to read more about the best of Georgia's student composers.

1 February 2009 - Selection Committee Formed

The Selection Committee, made up of professional Georgia musicians, has been formed to review the compositions.  They will meet soon to determine our finalists.

1 January 2009 - Compositions Received

The festival has received compositions from collegiate and high school students in the state of Georgia.  The next step is for the festival selection committee to meet and select the finalists.

12 December 2008 - Rule Change for Composers Who are not US Citizens

After further consultation with our tax advisors, we have determined that the festival can award prizes to composers who are not US Citizens.  Therefore, we have removed the US citizenship requirement.  Due to tax laws, the Guild may have to withhold a percentage of any actual prize awarded to meet IRS requirements.  All composers must still meet the requirement of being enrolled in a Georgia high school, college or university.  And the winners of any prize are responsible for any taxes that might accrue.

10 November 2008 - DeKalb Choral Guild Receives Additional Grants

We are happy to announce two significant grants that will help fund the activities of the Georgia Young Composers Festival.  First, AT&T has provided the DeKalb Choral Guild with a grant to fund the Collegiate Prize.  Second, Mr. and Mrs. Roger and Vivian Hill, longtime fans and supporters of the Guild, have provided a significant grant to fund the operations of the festival.  Thanks to both AT&T and the Hills for their generous support.

29 October 2008 - On-Line Application Now Available

Composers, you can submit your festival application on-line by clicking the Apply On-Line link.  Special Thanks to our technology partner Star-Tech for making this system available.  The application process has two steps, creating your login id on our site, then entering the information required for the festival.  Be sure to print a copy of the finished application form to include with your application packet.