About the Competition
NAfME is seeking original music by student composers for featured performance at the 2020 NAfME National Conference. Teachers and students are invited to submit original student compositions for Symphonic Orchestra or Reed Quintet. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners and honorable mentions.
Students in elementary school, secondary school, college, and graduate school are eligible to submit compositions. Compositions submitted that fall outside of the orchestral or chamber instrumentation guidelines will be adjudicated but will not be eligible for awards or for performance.
Up to ten selected composers will receive cash awards, thanks to the generous support of the European American Musical Alliance (Dr. Philip Lasser, president). All entrants will receive written evaluations of their compositions.
All entrants will receive written evaluations of their compositions.
How to Apply
Read the 2020 Rules and Entry Directions for the 2020 Student Composition Competition. Complete the Student Acknowledgement Form and upload with your application.
- Applications open December 16, 2019
- Applications close March 27, 2020, at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
- Read testimonials from past winners
- Questions? Contact: Rob Edwards
2019 Student Composition Winners:
K-8
Winner
Matthew Cline of Shanghai, China
for the piece, Fugue and Fantasy
- Teacher, Christy Wanamaker
- School, Shanghai American School
Honorable Mention
Joseph Lim of Hartsdale, New York
for the piece, Brass Fanfare
- Teacher, John Catoliato
- School, Edgemont Junior/Senior High School
High School
Winner
Ryan Jacobs of Stilwell, Kansas
for the piece, When All Are Singing
- Teacher, Paul Bessetti
- School, Blue Valley High School
Jett Felder of Campbell, California
for the piece, Game for Five
- Teacher, Christiana Smith
- School, Westmont High School
Honorable Mention
Sam Parnin of Fort Wayne, Indiana
for the piece, Balcony
- Teacher, Doug Hassell
- School, Carroll High School
Collegiate
Winner
Matt Arnett of Provo, Utah
for the piece, Achilles
School, Brigham Young University
Honorable Mention
Nate Krebs of Elmore, Ohio
for the piece, The Zealot’s Trial
- Teacher, Lee Heritage
- School, University of Toledo
Kristen Goldstein of Malvern, Pennsylvania
for the piece, Music Speaks
- Teacher, Kathleen Doutt
- School, Immaculata University
*Previously published works are not eligible for submission in the competition.
*Submission implies permission for NAfME to perform and record all selected works.
