The National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) is sponsoring a competition for new Mass settings using the new translation of the Order of Mass that will be implemented with the publication of the American version of the third typical edition of the Roman Missal. Judges will choose as finalists four settings from among those submitted. Selected movements from the four finalists will be sung and evaluated by participants during the 2010 NPM National Convention in Detroit, Michigan, to be held July 12 -16. The winning entry will be chosen by a poll of those attending the convention. The composer of the winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1,500.

Composers are invited to submit a new Mass setting in English using the translation to be implemented following publication of the new Roman Missal. The texts may be found at http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/OrdoMissaeWhiteBook.pdf. Entries may not be under current consideration by any publisher.

Composers must utilize the new English text. Some reasonable repetition of words is permitted, but there can be no alterations, additions, or omissions. Bilingual or multilingual settings may be submitted as long as the official English text is included in its entirety.

The submitted setting must include at least the following parts of the Mass:

* Kyrie
* Gloria
* Alleluia and Lenten Gospel Acclamation
* Acclamations of the Eucharistic Prayer: Sanctus, Mystery of Faith, and Amen
* Agnus Dei

Other parts may also be included, such as the Act of Penitence, Creed, Prayer of the Faithful, and Our Father.

The manuscript for each Mass setting must contain at least a melody line for the assembly and keyboard accompaniment. Other elements may also be included, such as parts for choir and cantor, guitar accompaniment, and instrumental parts. Each manuscript should have a cover page with the name and contact information of the composer. Since all judging will be done anonymously, the rest of the manuscript should not include the name of the composer or any identifying markings.

Copyright for the submitted Mass settings will remain with the composer. After the competition winner has been announced, composers (including the winner and finalists) may submit their entries to publishers as they wish.

By submitting an entry, entrants

* attest that the music is original and their own work;
* agree that the melody line may be duplicated for use at the 2010 NPM National Convention;
* agree that all other parts may be duplicated for use of music leaders at the convention;
* agree that the submitted setting will not be sent for publisher consideration before July 16, 2010.
* agree that published versions of the winning entry will include the following line directly under the title: “Winner of the NPM Competition for a New Mass Setting, July 2010”

Each entry must be accompanied by a non-refundable ten dollar ($10.00) entry fee payable to the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Only one entry per person may be submitted. Entries may be submitted as PDF documents to mcmahon@npm.org or by mail to NPM Mass Setting Competition, 962 Wayne Avenue, Suite 210, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Deadline for all submissions is January 31, 2010. Manuscripts and other entry materials will not be returned.