The Digital Splitleaf is pleased to announce its 2026 Tune Competition in collaboration with ThePsalmsSung.org. We invite composers, music students, church musicians, and anyone who enjoys writing music to submit an original four‑part tune using a text from the 1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter.
This competition celebrates the long tradition of metrical psalm singing and encourages new musical settings that are faithful, singable, and creatively engaging for congregational use.
Basic details
Submission deadline: 31 August 2026
Submit entries to: The Digital Splitleaf email, digital-splitleaf@protonmail.com
Prizes:
- £200 – First Prize (co-sponsored by ThePsalmsSung)
- £100 – Second Prize
- £50 – Third Prize
- £50 – Best Tune not using Common Metre (sponsored by ThePsalmsSung)
Entry limitations: There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may submit. However, each entrant may win only one prize; if multiple submissions by the same composer receive high scores, only their highest‑rated entry will be considered for an award.
Winning entries will be performed at the Splitleaf Psalm Sing in November and may be featured on ThePsalmsSung.org.
Composition Requirements
- Text: Choose any text from the 1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter (texts can be viewed on the Splitleaf Psalter Viewer).
- Musical structure: Compose an original tune for four-part voices (SATB). Tunes must be intended for unaccompanied congregational singing.
- Singability: Melodies and parts should fall within reasonable vocal ranges for untrained congregational singers. The tune must be stylistically suitable for metrical psalmody.
- Originality: The tune must be the composer’s own work and must not have been previously published, publicly performed, or submitted to other competitions.
Other submission requirements
Entrants may use any notation software they prefer to write their composition. However, all submissions must be uploaded in one of the following formats:
- MuseScore (.mscz)
- MusicXML (.xml or .musicxml)
- PDF (.pdf)
If you are unsure how to export your score, please consult the documentation for your chosen software or contact us for help.
Judging criteria
- Textual sensitivity and prosody: Entry aligns musical content with the metrical structure and natural text stress. Musical and poetic phrasing are also well aligned.
- Melodic and harmonic craft: The melody is memorable and fits within an appropriate ranges. The harmonies are appropriate for a capella congregational singing.
- Usability: The entry is learnable and its rhythms are clear.
- Originality and musical expression: The entry represents a fresh and creative addition to metrical psalm singing tradition. Its musical expression enhances the meaning of the text.
Additional information
Submission of an entry grants The Digital Splitleaf permission to perform the work at the Psalm Sing and publish the winning entries, with attribution. However, copyright will remain with the composer under a Creative Commons license of their choice.