The ‘Harmony Across Borders’ international choral competition is now open for entry, a tremendous opportunity for amateur choirs to perform female composers’ work in Cambridge and Ely in July 2026.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love music, and that I’ve been singing in choirs most of my life. When I move country, one of the first things I research are choirs. They’re an instant ‘in’ to a community, who share a universal passion for music making and making of music as a shared experience beyond oneself. Music, singing, deep breathing and the social context of a choir makes choral music a great healer.

Harmony Across Borders is an international choral competition and the first in the world to celebrate the works of female composers and arrangers. Its founder, Hilary Nicholls, is a life-long chorister, who has sung under the directorships of Sir David Willcocks, John Scott and Neil Ferris.

In this conversation, I’m also joined by Joanna Gill, who is an award-winning composer of choral, film, and TV music. Her music has been performed by a variety of prestigious ensembles including the BBC Singers, the London Symphony Chorus and the London Symphony Orchestra. In 2018, Gill was awarded the Cappella Nova Award for her piece commemorating 100 years since women received the vote. Recently, Joanna was commissioned by His Royal Highness, King Charles III, to write a Scottish folksong for Queen Camilla which was sung at the Honours of Scotland Service in July 2023 following the King’s Coronation.

Harmony Across Borders 

This competition welcomes amateur choirs of all ages and nationalities.

Choir size: 16 to 40 people.

Age categories: Under 18; 18 - 25 years; 25 years plus. 

The event will take place in Cambridge University with a variety of workshops, talks and concert performances over the first weekend in July 2026.

The final gala concert taking place in Ely Cathedral on Sunday 5 July 2026.

Celebrating the works of female composers

Due to known historic social constraints, a dominantly male voice permeated the cultural sphere. Currently about 7% of repertoire selected is written by female composers and yet there's a wealth of music out there, both historic and contemporary, which is worthy of attention and revival.

Cambridge and Ely - the location 

Cambridge will provide both a prestigious location and one with a strong choral tradition, giving a lifetime’s experience to choirs who wouldn’t ordinarily have that opportunity.

Fundraising

If you would like to donate to this event please get in touch with Hilary.

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