The Australian National Choral Association (ANCA) has announced the winners of its inaugural ANCA Choral Composition Competition, recognising emerging Australian composers and their contributions to new choral repertoire.

The competition, launched in the lead-up to Choralfest 2026, attracted submissions from across Australia and offered substantial prize money and performance opportunities in two categories: Children’s Section and Open Section.

ANCA Choral Competition winners Rachel Hocking and Max Kielly. Portraits supplied

First prize in the Children’s Section was awarded to composer Rachel Hocking for Werte!. Second place went to Lucy Blomfield for The Council of Giraffes, while Odette Baxter received third place for Do You Wanna Know.

In the Open Section, Max Kielly took first prize for Someday I Will Find You. Oliver Brunsdon placed second with Ubi...