Each year, our Sir David Willcocks Carol Competition brings the world premiere of several brand-new carols. This concert is an audience favourite which sells out fast , so if you haven’t attended before, you may have missed out on hearing these fresh and exciting premieres. This year, we’re changing that by sharing highlights from our winning carols from 2024 which were filmed during our final rehearsal for our annual Carols at Cadogan concert. Here they are…
Clementine Dawson – Alone – winner of the Under-17 Category
The text for Clementine Dawson’s carol, Alone, comes from the evocative winter poem of the same name by Walter de la Mare, an English poet. She chose to set this poem to music because of its poignant natural imagery. This work clearly displays an immense talent.
Barbara Steadman-Allen – Good Festival of Christian Cheer – Joint winner of the 18 and over category
This is what Barbara Steadman-Allen had to say about her carol, Good Festival of Christian Cheer:
“This piece is intended to reflect the dance-like characteristic that carols traditionally had. I wanted to capture a flavour of the past, setting slightly more contemporary lyrics to tell a story that is timeless.”
Clive Osgood – Hodie Christus Natus Est – Joint winner of the 18 and over category
Clive Osgood’s carol is written for eight-part choir. It conveys the excitement of the birth of Jesus using music in dance-like seven time.
The 2025 competition is now open—so if you’re a composer and would love to hear your music performed in this iconic setting, get in touch for your chance to be part of it – find out more and apply here.
You can also book tickets to hear the premieres of the 2025 edition here. They will be performed alongside a classic selection of carols both traditional and modern, of course – so there will be plenty of opportunities to sing along! You can book your tickets to that now – it’s happening on Monday 15 December.