HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
The Annual John McDonough Literary Award Contest is
NOW OPEN for submissions!
Calling all creative souls, young and old—this is your chance to shine! Whether you’re 16 years old or younger, or an adult over 16, we invite you to submit your very own poem or short story (300 words or less) based on a holiday theme. It can be humorous, spiritual, or reflective, and we welcome all cultural traditions!
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Why not? Your winning submission will be read aloud by none other than radio personality Chion Wolf, who now holds the cherished position of Narrator for the Christmas Angelicus concerts, which will take place across the Northwest corner of Connecticut this December.
One prize will be awarded in the children’s category, and one in the adult category. The winners will receive their awards in a special ceremony at the Christmas Angelicus concert on December 14, 2025 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington. And here’s the best part—the prize for the winning submission in each category is $100!
So, grab a cup of cocoa, curl up with your favorite writing tool (whether it’s a pencil, iPad, or phone), and create your literary masterpiece! Join us for a holiday season filled with music, storytelling, and cheer.
WHO IS JOHN MCDONOUGH?
John McDonough was an ambassador for Reading is Fundamental (www.rif.org), bringing the magic of stories to elementary school classrooms. He recorded countless audiobooks and was the beloved Narrator of our Christmas Angelicus Concert series for many years.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 1, 2025
submit your original literary work below
The History of the John McDonough Literary Award
Chorus Angelicus revived this award in memory of our dear friend, longtime narrator and supporter, John McDonough, who passed away January 2021.
Historically, Chorus Angelicus collected submissions of original literary works that were to be read by John McDonough as part of our Christmas Angelicus Programs. We asked for poems or short stories based on a holiday theme. We invited all cultural traditions to participate with humorous, spiritual, or reflective works, 3 minutes or less in length and not previously published.
One prize was awarded to a child 16 or under, and one to an adult. The winning submissions were read at the Christmas Angelicus concerts by John McDonough, who was also on the decision committee.
Please consider a donation in memory of John McDonough to The John McDonough Literary Award Fund.
2024 Winners
A D U L T C A T E G O R Y (16 and older): Zachary Gilbert
Wassail, Wassail, Wassail
sing we to drive away cold and misery.
Wassail to friend and neighbor here,
as well to those who aren't so near.
To those who've gone, whom we hold so dear.
For Christ has come, ring out the bell,
ring out the joy, Wassail! Be well.
Spread the good news, the story tell.
Let instruments play, let chorus swell.
As we toast good health and happiness
and revel in our merriness,
we must also remember the weariness
and complete and utter tiredness
and often, fear, of those with less.
Wassail to the war-torn refugee,
May we help them find safety and stability.
Wassail to the hungry in the street,
May we find a way to help them eat.
Wassail to those who are oppressed,
May we work to end all prejudice.
Wassail to those without a home,
May we help them find a place of their own.
Wassail to the sick, to those that ache,
May we find a way to alleviate.
Wassail to both friend and foe alike,
May we learn to love, and not to spite.
Wassail to those who feel alone, or snubbed,
forgotten, uncared-for; May we help them feel loved.
As we toast good health and sing the refrain
of "Peace on Earth" and "Let Joy Reign",
we have the duty once again
to ensure all people, of every ken
are lifted up, and to help ease their pain.
For Christ has come. Follow his lead
to bring good tidings to all those in need.
Celebrate, yes, and be thankful indeed
for those in our lives who have helped us succeed.
Wassail to friend and neighbor here,
and to those encountered everywhere.
To meek of heart, and spirit dear.
Wassail, Wassail, Wassail sing we.
May we drive out cold and misery.
Y O U T H C A T E G O R Y (15 and younger): Olivia Virgin
WINTER
The scorching
summer's over,
the brisk fall
days have passed.
And since we've
all been waiting,
'Tis wintertime
at last!
DIAMONDS (A Haiku)
On the tree and shrub,
I find winter's diamonds shine.
Little frozen gems.
THE WINTERBERRY (A Haiku)
Bright red berries shone
On lifeless twigs in winter.
Plump crimson jewels.
MOTHER EARTH'S CLOSET
Her parka is snow, her mittens are ice.
Her jacket is leaves, now isn't that nice?
Her sun hat is flowers, her sandals are rain.
Mother Earth looks so lovely, she's never been vain.
DECEMBER
December's hair is icicles;
December's feet both blow.
December's breath is the cold north winds,
And December's heart is snow.
PRESENTS
Presents 'round the Christmas tree
all wrapped in red and gold.
They make you feel so warm
inside instead of bitter cold.
When you unwrap the presents,
and your eyes both shine with light,
Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a good night.
SNOW
Oh, how the
winter days
pass by, like
little snowflakes
flying high.
The air is
chilled, the
sun is cool.
Oh, how you yell,
you're out of
school!
December nights,
the stars all
twinkle, the snow
falls lightly, a little
sprinkle.
WIND SONG
Over the
beady frost,
I run. My breath
is quick and
cold. I flick
children's hair,
and make the trees bare, and
howl so brave
and so bold.
ICE (a Haiku)
It has freezing teeth.
It is found where water sleeps.
A chilling glory.
FALLING SEA
The sea glides down from
the big blue sky.
Little white pearls rain
down from on high.
A mass of whiteness; a
freezing sea; turning, tossing;
down to me.
