Church Music Submission Guidelines


The annual Church Music Submission was established to encourage the development of musical talent and to bring new musical works to light.

  • Click here to submit your work.

Guidelines

  • Submissions should reflect gospel-related themes.
  • Submissions are accepted online here. The yearly submission deadline is November 1 at 11:59 p.m. MST.
  • Participants must submit their own original work.
  • Participants may submit up to three works per year, each of which must be in a different category.
  • Participants under 18 years old may submit with permission from a parent or guardian. The participant must provide the parent’s or guardian’s email address when filling out the submission form.
  • If a category does not receive enough submissions, it may be combined with another category for judging and awards.
  • Awards of Distinction ($200 USD), Awards of Merit ($100 USD), and special recognitions may be given in each category. If applicable, award money for a single submission will be divided equally among collaborators.
  • Submitters who are granted awards give the Church permission to publish and perform their work. Submitters always retain the copyright for their work.
  • Awarded submissions may be used on the Church’s music website, in Church magazines, or for other purposes.

Submission categories and descriptions are listed below.

  • Hymns
    • Original music written in 4-part harmony for mixed chorus, women’s chorus, or men’s chorus, with the same accompaniment for each verse
    • May include new musical settings of existing texts
  • Hymn Texts​
    • Original lyrics/poetry that could potentially be set to music in hymn form
  • Children’s Songs​
    • Original music written for children in unison or 2-part chorus
    • May include new musical settings of existing texts
    • Also may include rounds and music with a descant
  • Arrangements for Mixed Chorus
    • New arrangements of an existing melody (hymn or other song)
    • Each verse may have a different accompaniment
    • Written for men’s and women’s voices (SATB, SAB, and so forth)
  • Arrangements for Men’s Chorus or Women’s Chorus
    • New arrangements of an existing melody (hymn or other song)
    • Each verse may have a different accompaniment
    • Written for men’s or women’s voices (TB, TTBB, SA, SSA, and so forth)
  • Anthems
    • Original music for mixed chorus, men’s chorus, or women’s chorus
    • May include new musical settings of existing texts
    • Each verse may have a different accompaniment
  • Solos, Duets, and Small Groups
    • Original songs or arrangements of an existing melody
    • Any vocal parts may be included
  • Contemporary Music
    • Church-themed music in a contemporary style
    • Original songs or arrangements of an existing melody
    • For example: songs similar to music from EFY or the Youth theme album
  • Instrumental Music
    • Original songs or arrangements of an existing melody
    • Any combination of instruments may be used

Submission Instructions

Participants may submit by filling out the online music submission form. A Church account or submitter profile is not required to submit. After the form is submitted, participants will receive an email requesting the submission file. To facilitate anonymous judging, submitted music should not include the contributors’ names. Only one file is required. For non-English submissions, it is recommended that participants also include a separate file containing the lyrics without any music.

While digital submissions are preferred, participants may mail a hard copy of their submission to Church music staff if necessary. However, the submission form must also be completed online for the submission to be considered. Mail submissions to:

Church Music Submission
23rd Floor
50 East North Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-0023
 

Submissions received after November 1 at 11:59 p.m. MST will be considered in the following year’s review.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How is the annual music submission affected by the hymnbook and children’s songbook revisions? The new music submission period for the revisions is now closed. Click here for updates on the hymnbook and children’s songbook revisions.
  • Is there a limit to the number of works I can submit? Yes, you may submit up to three works per year, each of which must be in a different category.
  • Can I submit the same work in more than one category? No. Please submit no more than one work per category.
  • Can I submit the same work in different years? If your composition has been significantly reworked, placing it in a different category (e.g., a solo that has been rearranged for a choir), you may submit the new version. Please do not resubmit the same work in the same category in different years.
  • In which category should my submission be considered? If you have reviewed the category descriptions and still have questions, please email musicsubmission@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
  • What is the difference between a small group and a chorus? Many submissions may fit into either category. You may choose to submit to the category of your choice.
  • Can I collaborate with one or more other people on a submission? Yes. For collaborations, only one submitter should submit the work. When submitting, you will be asked to provide the name, phone number, email address, and home location (e.g., city and state) for each collaborator. If an award is given for the work, the award prize will be split equally among collaborators.
  • Is any style of music appropriate for the Contemporary Music category? The rhythm, style, and character of contemporary music should be consistent with the nature of the lyrics, whether sacred or secular.
  • Does my submission need to include accompaniment? Yes, except for a cappella choral arrangements. Piano and organ accompaniments are preferable for most categories, but other instruments are acceptable, especially for the Contemporary Music and International Music categories.
  • Can I submit recordings of my music in addition to sheet music? Sheet music is required for all submissions. Recordings are welcome but are not required.
  • Whom should I contact if I am having problems submitting? Please email musicsubmission@ChurchofJesusChrist.org for technical support.
  • Do I need permission to create an arrangement of someone else’s work? Yes. If your submission is an arrangement of someone else’s work, you will need to obtain permission from the original creator to arrange his or her work and publish the arrangement. The original creator maintains the copyright for his or her work, and he or she may require you to assign the rights to your arrangement to him or her.
  • How do I obtain permission to create an arrangement of someone else’s work? Permission can be requested through the copyright holder. For hymns and songs published by the Church, please request permission at permissions.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
  • When should I request permission to create an arrangement? Permission should be obtained before you submit or share your music. If you are concerned about obtaining permission before the submission deadline, please email musicsubmission@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
  • Do I need to include copyright information on the music I submit? No. If your submission is selected for publication, we will ask for this information later.
  • Why do I need to sign an agreement if I receive an award? The Creative Works Unlimited License—Limited Sublicensing agreement used for submitted music grants the Church permission to publish your work for non-commercial use and to include it in live-streamed performances at Temple Square. It also allows others to print your work from Church websites for non-commercial use. If your submission is your original work, you still own your work when you sign this agreement, including sublicensing rights. If your submission is an arrangement of someone else’s work, the rights to the arrangement is dependent on the agreement you obtained with the original creator.
  • Who will review my music? Submissions are reviewed anonymously by several expert judges.
  • When and how will I find out if I received an award? All submission participants will be emailed by March 1 with submission results.
  • What happens to the submitted music? Award-winning music may be published on the Church’s Music website. All submissions will be retained electronically for reference purposes only and will be accessible only to submitters and select Church music staff.
  • Will my music be performed? Award-winning music may be presented and livestreamed in Church Music Festival performances at Temple Square.
  • Where do I find the terms and conditions for the submission? Terms and conditions can be found here.