Following David Clover's sudden and premature death in January 1979, the City of Sheffield Teachers' Choir committee of that time thought it appropriate that there should be a memorial to him and to all he had done for Sheffield music, in and through the music department of the Education Committee, and for the Teachers' Choir. At first it was thought that this should be an instrumental competition, but because David had brought the choir together through itds members singing together as part of a music teachers' residential course, it was suggested that the competition should be a vocal one. And so the David Clover Competition for Singers was born.

The first competition was held in 1980 and was open to students of secondary school age. There were just two age categories.

The competition is now open to singers from the age of 9 and its chief objective is to foster that branch of music making which was ever one of David's loves - singing. He strongly maintained, as others have, that everybody has a musical instrument which can be developed - the voice - and much of his work was devoted to fostering the use of young voices whether as soloists or choralists. The competition still provides opportunities for young singers to perform songs of their own choice with a view to being helped and encouraged by experienced judges of singing, many of whom are teachers of singing in the country's leading musical institutions.

Since those early days, the competition has grown considerably and enjoys a national reputation as a competition of worth, quality and stature.

Singers may take part in both the Recital and Non-recital categories. The Recital category has 3 age groups: Junior (11-14), Senior (15-18) and Open (19 and over). The Non-Recital category has 3 basic age groups with the following classes:
18 and under; Vocal Solo (age 9-11 ), Duet (both singers aged 18 and under), Musical and Operetta, Oratorio or Sacred Song, and British Song,
19 and over; Musical and Operetta, Oratorio or Sacred Cantata, and British Song,
any age;French Song or Lied, and Opera.

The climax of the competition and presentation of awards is held in the resplendent ballroom of the Holiday Inn, Royal Victoria Hotel, Sheffield, in the presence of civic and musical dignitaries.

The competition is sponsored and administered by the City of Sheffield Teachers' Choir