Winners of the Composer’s Invitational 2021

The Detroit Women’s Chorus is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Composer’s Invitational. So many worthy submissions were received that the adjudication panel decided to select two winners:

Emily Rogers is a Detroit native, traverses many musical styles, and the wide range of her work will broaden the musical possibilities for the choir.

Laura Nevitt has an expansive choral composition background, and her submission highlighted her emphasis on social justice—a mission she shares with the DWC.

Each winner receives a cash prize of $500; a commission to write a piece to be premiered by the DWC in the 2021–2022 season; and a one-on-one mentorship session with Shara Nova, internationally known artist, multi-instrumentalist, and DWC’s Composer-in-Residence.

Our panel of adjudicators included Shara Nova; Dr. Brandon Waddles, Lecturer of Choral Conducting & Music Education, Wayne State University, Artistic Director, Rackham Choir, and Board of Directors, ACDA-Michigan; and Laurel Wacyk, MM in Conducting, Temple University, and Choir Director, Graham-Kapowsin High School, Graham, WA.

The DWC looks forward to showcasing works created by these talented composers during the 2021–2022 season. DWC is grateful to all of the composers who shared their artistry with us, and hopes to make the Composer’s Invitational an annual event.

The Detroit Women’s Chorus embraces diversity. We stand up for all women. We advocate for social justice. We learn and create together. We sing songs from many cultures and traditions to learn about and accept one another. We fight to be heard because every woman has a voice.