Composition Contest
Nicole Densmore, contest chairperson
2024 Composition Winners Selected
Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2024 NHMEA Composition Contest. There were several entries this year and many amazing compositions were submitted for review. Click here to see and hear a slideshow that announces the winning entries.
NHMEA Composition Contest Registration Form
Students in NHMEA participating school districts and collegiate NHMEA members are invited to submit original compositions to the NHMEA Composition Contest. All submissions will be reviewed and adjudicated by 2 professional composers who will provide written feedback to each student composer. Solo or ensemble compositions of any length (up to 3 minutes for grades K-8, and up to 5 minutes for grades 9 – collegiate), style, and genre are welcome.
Winning compositions at each grade level will be shared at the NHMEA Spring Conference and with the membership of the Association.
Categories
● Grade K-5
● Grades 6-8
● Grades 9-12
● Collegiate (NHMEA members only)
Timeline
● February 12, 2025 – Deadline for submitting application form, registration fee, and scores and/or recordings.
● March 3, 2025 – Directors receive adjudicator feedback and contest winners are notified.
● April 4, 2025- Winners will be recognized at NHMEA Spring All-Member Meeting
Rules
● All materials must be received by date February 12, 2025
● A registration fee of $15/composition for grades K-8 and $25 for grades 9-collegiate is required.
● School Participation Fees must be paid and collegiate composers must be NHMEA members.
● Compositions for students in grades K-8 must not exceed 3 minutes. Compositions for students in grades 9-Collegiate must not exceed 5 minutes.
● When possible, a PDF of a score and an audio recording should be submitted.
● Winners in each category and their recordings will be announced to the Association via email and at the Spring Conference.
Evaluation Criteria
Compositions submitted to the Student Composers Competition are evaluated according to three broad criteria:
- Compositional Technique includes the following elements, where applicable:
- Organization of pitch elements (such as melody, harmony, and counterpoint)
- Organization of rhythmic elements
- Formal design
- Accuracy and clarity of notation
- Appropriate writing for instruments and/or voices
- Overall Musical Appeal includes the following aspects:
- Stylistic coherence (regardless of the particular style)
- Effective handling of unity/variety and tension/release
- Effective use of dynamics, articulations, and expression marks
- Interaction of all the elements (atmosphere, mood, direction, and flow of the music)
- Originality refers to aspects of the piece that reveal the composer’s individual “voice” and distinguish the piece from a musical exercise or a direct imitation of another piece
Application Procedure
1. Remove all info identifying student and school from the score and/or recording.
2. By February 12, 2025, enter the information and documents to https://www.cognitoforms.com/NHMEA/NHMEAStudentCompositionContestSubmissionForm
3. Directors submitting multiple compositions should send multiple emails.
4. Composers are encouraged (but not required) to include program notes for their composition.
5. A separate email with an invoice to pay will be sent after the submission of an entry has been received.
Any questions, please email Nicole at ndensmore@kearsarge.org
