Two RDAM students win prizes at KORAL
The competition itself took place in 2025, and in March 2026 the prize concert was held, where it was announced which composers had won which prizes. Among the winners were RDAM composition student Gustav Ertbølle, who received the Gold Prize for his work Requiem, and Gustav Seistrup, a choral conducting student, who was awarded a shared Bronze Prize as well as the Audience Prize for his work Who has seen the wind?
Gustav Ertbølle
“It has been fantastic to take part in the KORAL Competition. Meeting the Det Unge VokalEnsemble was particularly memorable. The prize concert itself was also an exciting event that made a strong impression on me, featuring a programme of both great stylistic diversity and strong craftsmanship. It was a great honour to participate in the KORAL Competition and to receive the Gold Prize,” says Gustav Ertbølle.
The prize includes DKK 30,000, a recording of his work, and a tailored mentorship programme with an established composer. In addition, Ars Nova will perform his work again at a concert on 11 October at Trinitatis Church in Copenhagen.
Read more about Gustav Ertbølle and his winning work
Gustav Seistrup
“Winning a prize at KORAL25 has meant an enormous amount to me! As someone who primarily works with conducting choirs, it is incredibly exciting to be able to explore my side as a composer even more. I was very fortunate to receive a Bronze Prize from the jury, and at the concert I was also awarded the Audience Prize, which I am extremely happy about!
It is so important that an initiative like the KORAL Competition exists, giving young composers the opportunity to write new choral music that can benefit the entire Danish choral community,” says Gustav Seistrup.
The Bronze Prize includes DKK 5,000, a recording of his work, and a tailored mentorship programme with an established composer. In addition, he receives DKK 10,000 for the Audience Prize.
Read more about Gustav Seistrup
About KORAL
According to the competition’s website, the mission of the competition is to revitalise the choral environment in Denmark and to create a healthy and dynamic choral culture.
From May 2025, young composers were invited to create innovative choral works that could enrich the Danish choral repertoire. All participants had access to professional workshops led by leading specialists and had the opportunity to become part of a strong professional network.
The submitted works were judged by a jury consisting of renowned composers: Bo Holten, Lil Lacy, Frans Bak, Pernille Sejlund and Svend Hvidtfelt.
“You cannot help but feel optimistic about the future of Danish choral music when listening to the winning works of the KORAL Competition – we have experienced everything from the most melodic lines to intricately constructed interplay between new and familiar sounds. Danish choral music becomes richer when young, talented composers dedicate themselves to their craft and invite us into their musical worlds. That is exactly what we work for in KORAL: a stronger and more dynamic choral life in the Denmark of the future, where both singers and audiences can gather around new music,” says Andreas Werenfeldt, founder of the KORAL Competition.
Read more about the KORAL Competition
Photo: Alexander Banck-Petersen
