The All Saints'
Sacred Song Festival
Official Competition Rules and Information
Applications accepted beginning January 1st, 2027
About the Festival
The All Saints Sacred Song Festival is a celebration of singers who seek to share the beauty of sacred music through thoughtful, expressive performance. As part of the All Saints Fine Arts Series, the festival provides an encouraging and meaningful opportunity for vocalists to perform before an audience, receive evaluation from experienced musicians, and celebrate the rich tradition of sacred song. The festival welcomes singers of all levels of experience, including students, amateurs, and professional musicians.
1. Eligibility and Competition Categories
All singers ages 14 and older are welcome to submit a preliminary audition. Contestants will compete in one of four age categories:
- Category I: Ages 14–18
- Category II: Ages 19–21
- Category III: Ages 22–26
- Category IV: Ages 27 and above
A singer's age on April 10, 2027, will determine their competition category.
2. Repertoire Requirements
The festival welcomes vocal music drawn from the broad Christian tradition. Selections may reflect any historical period, denomination, or musical style, including music intended for worship, prayer, devotion, or the expression of Christian faith.
Each singer shall submit one sacred vocal selection with a maximum performance duration of seven minutes. The selection must be performed in its entirety in both the preliminary and final rounds.
Singers may perform accompanied or unaccompanied selections. If accompanied, the preliminary audition recording must use live piano accompaniment. The festival will provide a pianist for accompanied performances in the final round.
Finalists must perform the same selection submitted in their preliminary audition. Substitutions will not be permitted without the approval of the Festival Director. The festival reserves the right to determine whether a submitted selection is appropriate for the competition.
3. Preliminary Round
Applicants must submit a completed application, a $10 audition fee, and a video recording of their selected sacred song by Friday, March 5, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
A panel of adjudicators will evaluate the submissions according to the published criteria and select up to three finalists in each age category.
Submission of an audition does not guarantee advancement to the final round. The festival reserves the right to select fewer than three finalists in any category.
Preliminary Recording Requirements
Recordings must have been made within twelve months of the preliminary audition deadline (March 5, 2026, or later).
Recordings must present a complete, continuous performance, without editing, splicing, pitch correction, or other vocal enhancement. The intentional use of artificial intelligence to generate, alter, enhance, or otherwise manipulate any portion of the submitted performance is prohibited. This includes AI-generated or AI-modified vocals, accompaniment, or visual content.
The singer must be clearly visible and audible throughout the performance. Professional recording equipment is not required. Recordings made with a smartphone or other ordinary recording device are acceptable.
Accompanied selections must use live piano accompaniment. Unaccompanied selections are also welcome.
The festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission that violates these requirements.
4. Adjudication
Performances will be evaluated according to five equally weighted criteria:
- Vocal Technique and Control (20%): Quality, consistency, and command of the singing voice.
- Musical Accuracy and Preparation (20%): Accuracy of pitch, rhythm, and other musical details; evidence of thorough preparation.
- Stylistic Understanding and Interpretation (20%): Understanding of the musical tradition, style, and character of the selection.
- Expression and Communication (20%): Musical expressiveness, artistic conviction, and ability to engage the listener.
- Transmission of Text (20%): Clarity of diction, understanding of the words, and effectiveness in communicating their meaning.
Adjudicators will evaluate performances with appropriate consideration for the language, style, and musical traditions represented.
5. Festival Final Round
Saturday, April 10, 2027, at 12:00 p.m.
Selected finalists will perform their preliminary audition selections live at All Saints' Episcopal Church before a panel of judges and a public audience. Finalists will be identified by competition category. The order of performances will be determined by the Festival Director.
Finalists will be evaluated afresh on their live performances using the same adjudication criteria. Preliminary audition scores will not carry forward into the final round. The final concert is free and open to the public.
6. Finalist Requirements
Singers selected for the final round must confirm their participation by the deadline provided in their notification of acceptance.
Finalists requiring accompaniment must furnish a PDF copy of the piano score by the specified deadline. Each finalist will be offered a ten-minute rehearsal with the festival pianist on the morning of the competition.
Rehearsal times and performance schedules will be communicated in advance. All finalists are expected to be present for their scheduled performance and the awards ceremony.
Finalists must also provide a short biography and a high-resolution headshot for use in the festival program and publicity materials.
Finalists are responsible for their own transportation and any necessary lodging. There is no additional fee to participate in the final round.
Should a finalist be unable to participate, the festival reserves the right to invite an alternate from the same category.
7. Awards and Prizes
The adjudicators will award First, Second, and Third Place in each competition category, as applicable. Each recipient will receive a certificate recognizing their achievement.
The First Place winner in each category will also be invited to perform in a recital at the following year's All Saints Sacred Song Festival.
Audience members will select an Audience Favorite in each of the four categories. Each audience member may cast one vote per category. The finalist receiving the most votes in each category will receive an Audience Favorite Award and certificate. In the event of a tie for Audience Favorite, both singers will be recognized.
Audience voting is independent of the judges' evaluations and will not affect competitive placements.
In the event of a tie in the judges' evaluations, the adjudicators will confer to determine final placement. All adjudication decisions are final.
8. Important Dates and Deadlines
Friday, March 5, 2027
Preliminary audition deadline. Completed applications, audition recordings, and the $10 application fee must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Monday, March 15, 2027
Finalists announced and notified by email.
Monday, March 22, 2027
Deadline for finalists to confirm participation and submit PDF copies of piano accompaniment scores, if applicable.
Saturday, April 10, 2027
All Saints Sacred Song Festival
- Morning: Scheduled ten-minute rehearsals with the festival pianist.
- 12:00 p.m.: Festival Final Round, followed by audience voting and the presentation of awards.
9. Application Requirements
Applicants must provide:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Email address and telephone number
- City and state of residence
- Title and composer of the selected sacred song
- Approximate performance duration
- Whether piano accompaniment is required
- Link to the preliminary audition video
- $10 application fee
Applicants under 18 must also provide the name and contact information of a parent or legal guardian, together with parental or guardian consent.
Applicants must confirm that they have read and agree to the competition rules, including the recording authenticity requirements.
Biographies and headshots are not required for the preliminary round.
10. Photography, Recording, and Media Consent
The Festival Final Round will be open to the public and may be photographed, livestreamed, and recorded by All Saints' Episcopal Church.
By accepting an invitation to participate in the final round, contestants grant All Saints' Episcopal Church permission to photograph, record, livestream, and reproduce their performances, names, images, and biographical information for purposes related to the festival, including publicity, education, archival documentation, and future promotion.
Recordings and photographs may be published through the church's website, social media, livestream platforms, and other official communications.
For finalists under 18, consent must be provided by a parent or legal guardian.
Participation in the final round constitutes acceptance of these conditions.
11. General Provisions
The All Saints Sacred Song Festival reserves the right to reject incomplete or ineligible applications, disqualify submissions that violate competition requirements, invite alternate finalists in the event of withdrawals, and make reasonable adjustments to the festival schedule or procedures when necessary.
The Festival Director shall have final authority in matters of eligibility, repertoire suitability, rule interpretation, and administration. Decisions concerning competitive placements shall rest with the adjudicators and shall be final.
Submission of an application constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of the competition rules.
Our Purpose
The All Saints Sacred Song Festival exists not only to recognize excellence, but to encourage singers and cultivate a deeper appreciation for sacred music within our community and beyond. Whether you are performing, supporting a friend, or simply enjoying an afternoon of beautiful music, your presence helps continue a tradition in which artistry, faith, and generosity meet.