NEW WORKS RISING
NEW WORKS RISING 2026
The results are in!
AND THE WINNERS ARE . . .
Phoenix Boys Choir is deeply honored that more than 150 composers from around the world chose to submit their brilliant creative work for consideration in our 2026 New Works Rising Choral Composition Competition.
Our distinguished adjudicators have completed their work and selected the top compositions, and we are thrilled to congratulate these winning composers and finalists.
FIRST PLACE AWARD
MAUREEN HOWELL
(North Carolina)
“New Pathways”
for SSA Voices and Piano
SECOND PLACE AWARD
JOHN CRABTREE
(Texas)
“Something More Than Sky”
for SSA Voices, Piano, and Clarinet
THIRD PLACE AWARD
DARIO ARGENTESI
(Italy)
“Road-Song of the Bandar-Log”
for SA Voices and Piano
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN
PBC’s 2026 NEW WORKS RISING COMPETITION
2026 FINALISTS:
Nate Barnett, the wanderer
Ross Bernhardt, See it Through
Michael Bryson, Can’t Stop Us Now
Jeffrey Cobb, Ten Thousand Paths
Shane Cook, how to land
Ashi Day, Riding
Jordan Dollins, Ithaca
Deep Goswami, Take Command (The World is Ours!)
Jennifer Klein, Wait and See
Marcos Adrian Bada Machado, A song for tomorrow
Stephen Mallon, Spring Morning
Adam Miller, I Am the Dreamer
Daniela Nasti, The Light Within
Georgina Palmer, 168 Million Years Ago
Alec Schumacker, Arma Virumque Cano
Stella ter Hart, The Path
Paul Winchester, The Road Less Traveled By
Edward Zeliff, I Shall Not Live in Vain
2026 COMPETITION ADJUDICATORS
2025 NEW WORKS RISING WINNERS
2025 PANELISTS:
Dr. Raphael Fusco
Dr. Thomas LaVoy
Coty Raven Morris
Kyle Pederson
Dr. William Powell
Dale Trumbore
Herbert Washington
2024 NEW WORKS RISING WINNERS
Second Prize
Ethan Soledad (Michigan)
Music and Poetry
Third Prize
Courage Barda (Indiana)
The Old Swimmin’ Hole
2024 PANELISTS:
Mark Hayes
Susan LaBarr
Zachary Moore
Kyle Pederson
Jake Runestad
Heather Sorenson
Herbert Washington
2023 NEW WORKS RISING WINNERS
Second Prize
Dr. Michael Bryson (Arizona)
Mwanga Mkali Aita
Third Prize
Zuzanna Koziej (Poland)
Foreign Lands
2023 PANELISTS:
Sherry Blevins
Dr. Edith Copley
Roger Emerson
Jocelyn Hagen
Dr. Jeffrey A. Murdock
Dr. Diana Saez
Timothy Takach
Herbert Washington
2022 NEW WORKS RISING WINNERS
Second Prize
Ryan Gunderson (Arizona)
The Spirit of Adventure
Third Prize
Giorgio Susana (Italy)
Jubilate, be joyful!
2022 PANELISTS:
Nilo Alcala
Kurt Bestor
Ruth Dwyer
Jim Papoulis
Dr. Kira Rugen
Dr. Jace Saplan
Dr. Andre Thomas
Herbert Washington
THANK YOU TO
ACORN N OAKES LLC
FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP
OF NEW WORKS RISING
