Calling All Student Composers!
Apply for the 2018 NAfME Student Composers Competition
NAfME is seeking original music written by student composers for the 2018 Student Composers Competition. Teachers and students are invited to submit original compositions by students for possible inclusion in the Young Composers Concert. Students in elementary school, secondary school, college, and graduate school are eligible to submit compositions.
Up to ten winning composers will receive cash awards, thanks to the generous support of the European American Musical Alliance (Dr. Philip Lasser, President) and the Double R Foundation. The winning compositions will also be considered for featured performance in the Young Composers Concert during NAfME’s National Conference in Dallas, Texas, November 11-14. All entrants will receive written evaluations of their compositions.

This year, the winning composition for concert band will also be performed by the NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles at Walt Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, November 25-28.
See the entry form here. The deadline to enter is March 30, 2018.
Is composing your passion? Some of the 2017 composers discuss why they compose, the teachers who inspired them and what the contest meant to them.
Brian Shon:
“Taking part in this expansive, creative, and musically talented competition meant composing to the best of my ability, testing my talent and work ethic. It meant beating out competition equally deserving of the award as I. It meant late nights cooped up with my laptop full of thoughts and musical ideas. This competition has brought out the best of me—the best of my work, my ability, my patience—and I strongly believe that the NAfME Student Composers Competition means not only a competition, but an event that will be remembered throughout my lifetime.”
Daniel DiMarino:
“Participating in the NAfME Student Composers Competition has allowed me an opportunity to share my work and receive some ever-encouraging feedback regarding my composition. I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Rob Deemer for his uplifting comments and helpful critique. This is definitely the finest feedback I have ever received from a composer competition. I am also very much looking forward to performing my work in the NAfME All-National Honor Symphony Orchestra amongst my peers. I want to thank NAfME once again for organizing such amazing opportunities for young musicians.”

Don’t wait! Apply today for the 2018 Student Composers Competition, open to K-12 and Collegiate students.
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Elizabeth Baker, Social Media Coordinator and Copywriter. February 9, 2018. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)