2014/2015 Edition
Press release from 22.09.2014.
Jury selects one winner from choral compositions submitted from all over Europe
Two special mentions also awarded
On September 18th 2014 the Jury of the European Award for Choral Composers, comprised of Nicola Campogrande (IT, chair), Ambrož Ćopi (SI), Maria van Nieukerken (NL), Tamara Petjevic (RS) and Kaie Tanner, with the advice of Jan Schumacher (DE), chair of the Music Commission of the European Choral Association – Europa Cantat, chose the winning compositions of the 2014/5 edition.
The European Award for Choral Composers is the continuation of the “Golden Tuning Fork” Award, organised by AGEC over many years, and was first organised by the European Choral Association – Europa Cantat (ECA-EC) in 2011/2012. For the 2nd edition 2014/15 member organisations of ECA-EC were again invited to submit compositions for the following three categories: (A) a cappella choir (classical), (B) choir accompanied by up to four
instruments (classical), (C) jazz composition for a cappella choir or choir accompanied by up to three instruments - with a maximum of 3 works per category to be submitted by one organisation.
39 compositions from 31 composers were submitted to the competition by 11 member organisations in 9
European countries, with 26 compositions in category A, 11 in category B and 2 in category C.
In category A (a cappella) the jury chose one winning composition:
“Missa Brevis” (2013) for mixed choir, composed by Hans Helsen (BE * 1989), submitted by the Flemish association Koor&Stem
In category B (with instruments) the Jury chose no winner but decided on a “special mention” for two compositions:
1. “Fairy Ring” (2012) for female choir and harp, composed by Maarten Van Ingelgem (BE *1976), submitted by the Flemish association Koor&Stem
2. “Diptychon” (2011) for female choir and violin, composed by Henrik Colding-Jorgensen (DK * 1944), submitted by the Danish association for Amateur Music DAM
In category C (jazz) the Jury chose no winner
The winning composition will be performed at the festival EUROPA CANTAT XIX in Pécs, Hungary, by one of the guest choirs in the frame of a special evening concert. The scores which received a special mention of the jury will be offered to participating choirs for performance in choir-to-choir concerts..
The next edition of the European Award for Choral Composers will be organised in 2017 in the frame of the project “Choral Upgrade in Europe – taking collective singing to a new level”, with the winning compositions being performed in the Festival EUROPA CANTAT XX in 2018.
Winner of Category A:
“Missa Brevis” (2013) for mixed choir a cappella with optional piano or organ accompaniment, composed by Hans Helsen (BE * 1989), was written in 2013 and dedicated to “Cantores – Bruges”.
Kyrie (1’15), Gloria (2’55), Sanctus (1’20), Agnus Dei (1’50). Published by Euprint, see http://www.euprint.be/nl/node/29868 where you can also find an excerpt of the score First performance in 2013, no recordings available for the moment. Contact: info@hanshelsen.be , website www.hanshelsen.be.
Hans Helsen (*1989) started studying at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven in 2007, where he finished his Masters in Music Education [2012], his Masters in composition [2013, with Jeroen D'hoe] and his teacher training. Now he's doing Bachelors in classical singing with Marina Smolders. The combination of these various disciplines gives him the chance to develop himself at all levels. Professionally, Hans is trying to find a balance between teaching, composing and performing, in the belief that these various things complement each other. He has written for several ensembles and various combinations, but the love for vocal music is becoming more and more noticeable in his work. He has already had the chance to compose for choirs like the Capella di Voce and the Brussels Cathedral Choir. He also made orchestrations of music composed by Jeroen D'hoe for the musical hEART (Herent). Hans won the Koor&Stem Composition Contest in 2011 with the piece Parafrasie Paranoica. Some of his pieces have been published by Koor&Stem or Euprint.
As a singer Hans has already been active in Capella di Voce (led by Kurt Bikkembergs), Waelrant Youth Choir (conducted by Marleen De Boo), Laudantes Consort (led by Guy Janssens) and Victoria Consort (directed by Erik Van Nevel). In addition, he has been a singer in the EuroChoir for three years, and has cooperated in projects led by E. Saveniers, G. Hendrickx, D. Gatz [GE], E. Kollár [HU], B. Crnjanski [SP], L. Hawthorne [USA] and R. de Leeuw
[NL]. Moreover, Hans is a teacher at the Academy of Music, Drama and Dance in Lier. He also works as a researcher at the Lemmens Institute (Leuven) and the KU Leuven.
Special mentions in Category B:
“Fairy Ring” for female choir and harp was composed by Maarten Van Ingelgem (BE *1976) in 2012 Nr. 7 from “Annual Rings”, text: Annie Van Keymeulen (transl. Tineke Van Ingelgem)
Not published, publication currently not planned, the composer is open to talk to interested publishers.
First performance (of a Dutch version) was in December 2012 by the choir “Aquarius” and is available from Phaedra
(Phaedra CD 92082 – www.phaedracd.com). You can listen to an excerpt of this recording on SoundCloud here.
Excerpts of the score will soon be published on our website / Contact: maartenvaningelgem@gmail.com
Website www.matrix-new-music.be or http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maarten_Van_Ingelgem.
Maarten Van Ingelgem studied piano and composition , works as a piano teacher, conducts the mixed chamber choir for contemporary music “The Second Wind” and is a bass singer in “Aquarius”. His composition “1914” was one of the winning compositions of the European Award for Choral Composers 2011/12 and was performed at the EUROPA CANTAT festival in Torino in 2012.
“Diptychon” for female choir and violin was composed by Henrik Colding-Jorgensen (DK * 1944) in 2011
Eloi (SA plus violin) – Clamavi (SMA plus violin) / No recording available, yet.
First performance in 2011 by Kildebronde Girl Choir and violinist Piotr Gasior.
Not published, publication currently not planned, the composer is open to talk to interested publishers
Excerpts of the score will soon be published on our website / contact: hc-j@hc-j.dk, Website www.hc-j.dk
Henrik Colding-Jorgensen is a composer, organist, choir director and pedagogue. In 1975 he was appointed organist and choir director at Hundige and Kildebrønde South of Copenhagen. He is known to the European Association – Europa Cantat as conductor of the Kildebrønde Girl Choir which has been a member for many years and has participated in numerous festivals and singing weeks.
More information can be found on the website of ECA-EC.
