ORIGINAL COMPOSITION CONTESTS 
Deadline Entries must be postmarked by January 15.
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION CONTESTS
Deadline Entries must be postmarked by January 15.
General Information
1. Entries may be composed for any medium.
2. A student may enter only one composition in a given division.
3. Compositions entered previously may not be re-entered in subsequent years.
4. Compositions may be in one or more movements, but the performance time for an entire work must not exceed ten minutes.
Eligibility
1. All students in grades 1-12 must have passed an appropriate state-graded theory test. They may take either the fall or spring test.
2. Post-12 is defined as those not having reached age 27 by the entry deadline. Post-12 entrants are exempt from the theory requirement.
3. Compositions must be judged locally and performed on a Student Affiliate program before submittal to the state contest. Students may edit their compositions using the critiques given by the local judges before sending them to the state contest.
Contest Divisions
1. Divisions designated by S are for solo compositions.
2. Divisions E and L are for ensemble compositions. For contest purposes, an ensemble is defined as anything larger than a solo composition.
a. Compositions requiring ten or fewer voices and/or instruments with one performer per part should be entered in Division E.
b. Compositions requiring more than ten voices and/or instruments with one performer per part should be entered in Division L.
3. There are twelve divisions:
Division S1-3 Grades 1-3
Division S4 Grade 4
Division S5 Grade 5
Division S6-7
Grades 6-7
Division S8-9 Grades 8-9
Division S10-12 Grades 10-12
Division SP12 Post-12
Division E1-8 Grades 1-8
Division E9-12 Grades 9-12
Division EP12 Post-12
Division L1-12 Grades 1-12
Division LP12 Post-12
Applications
1. Individual entries must be on the application form provided in the SA packet; additional copies are available at www.tmta.org/sa/docs/origcomp.pdf. This form is mandatory and must be paper-clipped to each manuscript.
2. All entries for each association should be listed on the second form provided in the SA packet.
3. Include all entry fees in a single check from the local association, made payable to TMTEF, attached to the second form.
4. Mail the form with check attached along with the manuscripts in a single envelope to the TMTA Original Composition Coordinator. Do not send by certified mail.
5. A self-addressed, stamped postcard must be enclosed to confirm receipt by the coordinator.
Submittal of Manuscripts
1. Sharp, legible copy is required. Photocopied manuscripts are acceptable. Manuscripts in all divisions must be either in the student’s own handwriting or in the form of a computer printout.
2. Manuscripts must be on approximately 8 1/2” x 11” paper.
3. Each student should keep his original score since winning manuscripts become a part of the permanent SA collection. Winning manuscripts are displayed at the TMTA State Convention and may not be removed. No manuscripts will be returned.
4. Accuracy in fundamentals should be checked by the teacher before the composition is submitted, and corrections should be made by the student. Other help from the teacher is limited to the teaching of desirable rules of composition.
5. The student’s name, pen name, age, or other personal information, previous judges’ comments, cover sheet, or illustrations may not appear on the manuscripts for any reason. Poems, performance directions, or the student’s annotations will be accepted.
6. Page numbers and the composition title should appear in the upper right corner for each page of the manuscript. All measures should be numbered, either by bar or by system. Only copies free of extra markings should be submitted.
7. Division E entries must be accompanied by a copy of the complete score. A cassette recording or CD may also be submitted.
8. Division L entries must be accompanied by a cassette recording or CD and a copy of the complete score.
Entry Fees (Nonrefundable)
Division S1-3 $ 5.00
Division S4 $ 5.00
Division S5 $ 5.00
Division S6-7 $10.00
Division S8-9 $10.00
Division S10-12 $10.00
Division SP12 $15.00
Division E1-8 $10.00
Division E9-12 $15.00
Division EP12 $15.00
Division L1-12 $15.00
Division LP12 $15.00
Judging and Awards
1. A committee of three qualified judges will use the following criteria for evaluating compositions: a. Observance of the basic skills in music manuscript writing b. Formal organization of material, variety, unity, etc. c. Logical use of rhythmic, harmonic and melodic ideas d. Creativity and originality e. Idiomatic writing for instrument(s), voice, etc., especially in Division E and L entries.
2. Each student will receive an Original Composition Certificate and a rating sheet evaluating her composition. It is hoped that the rating will encourage all students by enabling them to know the strengths and weaknesses of their work.
3. First, second, and third places will be selected in each division, if the judges deem the compositions worthy. These winners will be presented an engraved trophy and a cash award.
4. Honorable mentions may be awarded as merited.
5. Cash Awards: Divisions S1-3, S4, S5 First place $ 75.00 Second place $ 50.00 Third place $ 25.00 Divisions S6-7, S8-9, E1-8 First place $100.00 Second place $ 75.00 Third place $ 50.00 Divisions S10-12, E9-12, L1-12 First place $150.00 Second place $100.00 Third place $ 75.00 Divisions SP12, EP12, LP12 First place $200.00 Second place $150.00 Third place $100.00
6. To receive the prize money awarded each first, second, and third place winner, the compositions in all solo divisions must be performed on the Original Composition Winners Recital at the TMTA State Convention. Cash awards are forfeited if these compositions are not performed. There are no restrictions as to who may perform the winning compositions, although the performers should not be paid. If the composer is not present, the trophy must be claimed by a designated person. No trophies will be mailed.
7. Division E winners are exempt from the performance requirement, although live performances of these works are desirable and should be strongly encouraged. There are no restrictions as to who may perform the winning compositions, although the performers should not be paid.
8. Division L winners are exempt from the performance requirement.
9. If a composition requires special electronic equipment, the winning student is responsible for providing the electronic equipment needed for the Original Composition Winners Recital at the convention.
10. Associations will be notified of winners by April 15. Forms, requesting a reply regarding convention performance, will be mailed to teachers of winning students. Prompt replies are necessary since performance facilities must be guaranteed two weeks prior to the convention date.
11. All student composers are encouraged to enter their compositions in the TMTA/MTNA Student Composition Contest.
12. Winning ensemble compositions of the Student Affiliate Original Composition Contest will be made available for the Chamber Music Festival and for publication in the World of Music books. The compositions may be used for sight-reading and/or performance.
13. If your student is to be recognized, please send a 2 1/2"w x 3"h picture of the student to the coordinator. Write the student’s name, association, and teacher on the back of the picture. Pictures are not returned, but may be picked up at the Student Affiliate booth at the close of the convention.