NCMTA Young Composers Contest
Contest Eligibility
- Students must study with a music teacher.
- NCMTA Teachers must hold current membership with NCMTA.
- Non-Member Teacher Fee is $50.00.
- The teacher, the student or the place of instruction must be located in North Carolina.
Composition Manuscript
- Each student may enter only one (1) composition.
- Each composition must be at least 16 measures in length, and should be the student's own original work (arrangements of existing music by other artists will NOT be accepted.)
- The score should be clear, legible, and accurate, either written in the composer’s handwriting or produced with music engraving software (preferred) by the composer. A fully realized score is required.
- The composition should be written for no more than 9 performers.
- Measures should be numbered at the beginning of each system.
- Score should be labeled with the student’s name and category (Elementary, Junior, Senior or Young Artist)
- The teacher’s name should not appear on the manuscript.
- Students are encouraged to design or illustrate a title page (with title and student’s name).
- Beginning this year, all scores should be submitted in PDF format (no hard copies accepted).
Entrant Information (Student’s Age as of January 1 of current year)
- Elementary Fee (Ages 5-10) $20.00 Maximum time 3 minutes
- Junior Fee (Ages 11-14) $25.00 Maximum time 3 minutes
- Senior Fee (Ages 15-18) $30.00 Maximum time 5 minutes
- Young Artist Fee (Ages 19-26) $35.00 Maximum time 7 minutes
Composition Submission
- Students must enter a different piece from the MTNA Composition Competition.
- All 1st place winners must progress to the next level.
- Each score must be submitted as a single PDF, with file name as follows: lastname_category_title.pdf
- An audio file (mp3) is required for each entry. "Live" recordings are preferred, but MIDI/electronic renderings are acceptable if no live recording is available.
- No changes may be made after submitting the composition.
- Score PDF, mp3 recording, and copy of completed Registration Form (emailed to you upon completion) should be attached to a SINGLE email, with subject line "NCMTA Young Composers Contest 2020," and sent to Dr. Travis Alford (composition chair) at alfordt16@ecu.edu.
- Deadline for submission of all materials (and registration) is August 10, 2020.
Adjudication
- The compositions will be adjudicated by one judge.
- The judge may determine winners: (1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, HM)
State Conference Composition Recital
- The State Conference Composition Recital will host performances of the winning compositions.
- Memory is not required, but the performance must be well prepared.
- Winners are responsible for providing performers for the recital.
- Hard copies of all winning manuscripts will be requested for display during the recital. These should be retrieved at the close of the recital.
