FRANCES SEATON CHORAL COMPOSITION COMPETITION
ABOUT
The Frances Seaton Choral Composition Competition honours the memory of longtime MCA member and musician Frances Seaton, and encourages the composition of new choral works by Manitoba composers. Through a funding partnership with the Foundation for Choral Music in Manitoba, MCA has held this competition annually since 2013.
The competition provides:
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$1,000 cash prize
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Premiere performance of the winning work
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Publicity of the winning work and its composer by MCA
Eligibility
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The competition is open to Manitoba composers.
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Submissions must be unpublished and unperformed.
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Previously submitted works will not be accepted.
FRANCES SEATON
Frances Seaton was born Frances Offrowich on January 16, 1946 in Winnipeg. She is an alumni of the University of Manitoba where she graduated with her family watching with pride. She always said, "We did this together as a team.” Frances is a former Rose Bowl winner who retired from a career as a music specialist with the Winnipeg School Division.
As the former director of the Winnipeg Girls' Choir she had the joy of being a part of the musical lives of many talented singers and musicians. As former choir director at St. James Anglican Church, she continued to have the opportunity to collaborate in the development of a creative music ministry, while as director of the Good Neighbours' Choristers she found a new vista of vocal and choral development.
Frances chaired the MB Sings (formerly Provincial Honour Choirs) program for many years, including the 25th Anniversary celebration. Her last contribution to the music community was as President of the Manitoba Choral Association. Frances touched the lives of thousands of children and adults with her passion for singing and music.
2024 COMPETITION
This competition has been temporarily paused, pending review. As such, we are currently not accepting submissions for the 2024 competition.
Check back later for more information!
PAST RECIPIENTS
2022, Leanne Cooper-Carrier
Refraction
January 29, 2023
MB Sings Concert: Portage Avenue Church
1420 Portage Ave, Winnipeg
2021, Michael Kurek
Lord of All Being
June 11, 2022, 11:00am
MCA AGM
600 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB
2020, Scott Reimer
Be Love
Virtual performance
2019, Larry Strachan
St. Cecilia Anthem
Feb 2, 2020, 3:00
Westminster United Church
745 Westminster Ave, Winnipeg, MB
2018, Ben Sellick
Prash-chai, Goodbye
Feb 3, 2019, 3:00 pm
Knox United Church
400 Edmonton St, Winnipeg, MB
2017, Scott Jodoin
Springtime Melting
Feb 4, 2018, 3:00pm
Knox United Church
400 Edmonton St, Winnipeg, MB
2016, Steven Webb
The Dream
Feb 5, 2017, 3:30pm
Westminster United Church
745 Westminster Ave, Winnipeg, MB
2015, Darlene McKibben
Seasons of Home
Feb 7, 2016, 3:00pm
Knox United Church
400 Edmonton St, Winnipeg, MB
2014, Michael McKay
Nunc Dimittus
Feb 8, 2015, 3:00pm
Knox United Church
400 Edmonton St, Winnipeg, MB
2013, Scott Reimer
Humpty’s Tragedy
Nov 21, 2014, 7:30pm
Sturgeon Creek United Church
207 Thompson Dr, Winnipeg, MB