1. Entrants must be aged 25 or under at the time of the Festival event.

2. Entrants must be resident, working or studying in the UK.

3. Entries must be original compositions for choir, and/or for choir with organ or piano. They can be in any style of music but must be performable by a good parish choir.

4. Entrants may submit one or two settings from the selection of 4 texts provided by the Foundation (see below). Alternatively, composers may submit a text of their own choosing for approval. Alternative texts should be submitted for approval to competition@edinburghsacredartsfestival.org by May 1st, 2026
   

1. The opening date for entering the competition is 1st March, 2026.

2. The closing date for completed submission is 1st June, 2026.

3. All entries will be judged anonymously. No means of identification – including dedications -- should appear on the composition.

4. The compositions should be submitted as an email attachment using the title of the piece as the file name.

5. All personal details must appear on a separate document, and should include this declaration with signature:
           "I will be aged 25 or under on 17/08/26 and resident/working/studying in the United Kingdom".

6. Entries should be sent to competition@edinburghsacredartsfestival.org

The competition will be judged in the first instance by a panel appointed by the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation. The panel will forward a short list of the highest scoring submissions to this year's Principal Adjudicator, Cecilia McDowell who will select the prize winners, and may make up to three awards of 'Highly Commended'

Text 1 Benedicite omnia opera (selected verses)

Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord: 

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord sun and moon: 

bless the Lord you stars of heaven;

bless the Lord all rain and dew: 

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord all winds that blow:

bless the Lord you fire and heat;

bless the Lord scorching wind and bitter cold: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord dews and falling snows: 

bless the Lord you nights and days;

bless the Lord light and darkness: 

sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

O let the earth bless the Lord: 

bless the Lord all people on earth: 

sing his praise and exalt him for ever

Text 2Psalm 119 vv 33-37

Teach me O Lord, the way of your statutes,

And I shall keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law;

I shall keep it with all my heart.

Make me to go in the path of your commandments,

For that is my desire.

Incline my heart to your decrees

And not to unjust gain.

Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless

Give me life in your ways

Text 3 Spirit of God George Croly (1780-1860)

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;

Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art;

And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,

No sudden rending of the veil of clay,

No angel visitant, no opening skies;

But take the dimness of my soul away.

Text 4 I see his Blood upon the Rose Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887-1916)

I see his blood upon the rose

And in the stars the glory of his eyes,

His body gleams amid eternal snows,

His tears fall from the skies.

I see his face in every flower;

The thunder and the singing of the birds

Are but his voice—and carven by his power

Rocks are his written words.

All pathways by his feet are worn,

His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,

His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,

His cross is every tree.