BBC Radio 3 has launched its third annual Breakfast Carol Competition, challenging budding composers to create a brand new Christmas carol to be performed by a choir.
This year, the words are taken from an English text from the Middle Ages, ‘Alleluia! A new work is come on hand’. Amateur composers are invited to submit a composition of up to four minutes for SATB (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) choir, with or without piano accompaniment.
A panel of judges, including Judith Weir, Master of the Queen’s Music and David Hill, chief conductor of the BBC Singers, will select a shortlist of six carols which will be performed on Radio 3 by the BBC Singers. Listeners will then have the opportunity to vote in December for their favourite on the Radio 3 website.
The closing date for entries is Tuesday 1 November 2016. For more information, and to listen to last year’s finalists, click here.
Alleluia! A new work is come on hand
Alleluia! A new work is come on hand
Through might and grace of Goddes son
To save the lost of every land.
Alleluia.
For now is free that erst was bound
We may well sing
Alleluia.
Now is fulfilled the prophecy
Of David and of Jeremy
And also of Isaiah.
Alleluia.
Sing we therefore both loud and high
Alleluia.
Alleluia, this sweet song
Out of a green branch it sprung;
God send us the life that lasteth long.
Alleluia.
Now joy and bliss be him among
That thus can sing
Alleluia.
(15th C English)