Composition Guidelines

MTNA Composition Competitions

National Coordinator:

Chris Goldston, NCTM
5415 N. Sheridan Rd. #604
Chicago, IL 60640
Telephone: (773) 580-7301
goldston@hotmail.com

ATTENTION

  • Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 12, 2012.
  • Current active membership dues for MTNA or a nonmember teacher fee must be paid prior to accessing the student competition application.
  • Composition Only: Compositions will be uploaded online as a PDF file. Scores are NOT to be mailed.

Composition Competitions

Elementary:

  • Age: 5–10 as of January 1, 2013
  • Entry Fee: $50

Junior:

  • Age: 11–14 as of January 1, 2013
  • Entry Fee: $70

Senior:

  • Age: 15–18 as of January 1, 2013
  • Entry Fee: $100

Young Artist:

  • Age: 19–26 as of January 1, 2013
  • Entry fee: $100

National Awards

Awards made possible by Morty and Iris Manus.

  • Elementary Winner: $500
  • Elementary Second Place: $250
  • Teacher of Winner: $200

Awards made possible by Morty and Iris Manus.

  • Junior Winner: $1,000
  • Junior Second Place: $500
  • Teacher of Winner: $200

Awards made possible by Hal Leonard Corporation.

  • Senior Winner: $2,000
  • Senior Second Place: $1,000
  • Teacher of Winner: $200

Awards made possible by the MTNA Foundation Fund

  • Young Artist Winner: $3,000
  • Young Artist Second Place: $1,500
  • Teacher of Winner: $200


Teacher and Student Eligibility Information

All submissions must meet the Teacher Eligibility Requirements and Student eligibility Requirements.

Competition Rules

  • A student may submit only one (1) entry.
  • A student may enter the competition in only one (1) state.
  • Only one (1) student per entry is allowed.
  • All entry fees are nonrefundable.
  • Decisions of competition judges are final.
  • A national first-place MTNA winner may not enter again in the same Composition Competition Category (Elementary, Junior, Senior, Young Artist).
  • The score of each national winner will be kept by MTNA.
  • A composition may be in any style.
  • Entrants must have prepared the composition with the teacher listed on the application.
  • The performance time must not exceed ten (10) minutes.
  • Only compositions for nine performers or less will be accepted. Electronic realizations of larger scale works are not allowed.
  • If a composer uses a text: (1) copyrighted text must have a written statement from the copyright holder giving permission to use text or (2) text that is in the public domain must have a statement signed by the student and the teacher indicating this fact.
  • State and division winners/representatives will advance to the next level of the competition.
  • If there is only one (1)entrant in a State-level category, there will be NO State Competition. The entrant will be named the State Representative and that composition will advance directly to the Division Competition.
  • If there is only one (1)entrant in a Division-level category there will be NO Division Competition. The entrant will be named the Division Representative and that composition will advance directly to the National Finals.
  • If there are seven (7) or fewer entrants nationwide in a category at the state level, those entrants will advance directly to the National Competition.
  • Primary communication is via e-mail. The application must have e-mail addresses for student, teacher and parents.

Submission Requirements

  • The application and PDF score must be submitted online.
  • No recordings of the score will be accepted.

Score Requirements

  • The PDF should be printable on 8.5 x 11-inch letter-sized paper.
  • PDF Score must be legible, and may be computer generated or in composer's handwriting.
  • Measures of the composition must be numbered, preferably at the beginning of each system.
  • All materials must be labeled with the name of the composition, the name of the student and the category (Elementary, Junior, Senior, Young Artist).
  • The score must not include teacher name or any reference to school/institution, biography or picture of student.
  • No change may be made to the manuscript once it has been submitted with the application.
  • The composer certifies that the composition is an original work, and the score was produced by the composer.
  • Compositions for prepared piano are not permitted at the request of competition hosts and piano companies providing instruments.


Performance Requirements

  • The composition of each national composition competition winner must be performed at the appropriate Winners Concert during the MTNA National Conference March 9–13, 2013, in Anaheim, California.
  • Performances must be on the instrument(s) for which the submitted composition was written.
  • Winners must be present at this concert in order for their compositions to be performed and to receive the monetary award.
  • Winners must provide their own musicians for this concert, and only live performances are allowed.
  • Teachers may perform a student's composition at any level.
  • Audio or video recording and photography of the Winners Concert is strongly discouraged.
  • Competition financial obligations are the responsibility of the entrant.
  • If the first-place winner is unable to attend the National Conference and arrange for a live performance of their composition:
    a.the first-place ranking will be retained, but cash awards for student and teacher will be forfeited and
    b.the second-place winner will be given the opportunity to attend the National Conference and have their composition performed.
  • If the second-place winner accepts this opportunity:
    a.the student will receive the first-place cash award in lieu of the second-place cash award and
    b.that student’s teacher will receive the first-place teacher award.

Competition Agreement

  • It is the responsibility of the teacher, coach, entrant and parent or guardian to abide by all rules and regulations for the MTNA Student Competitions. Failure to meet this responsibility will make the student ineligible to receive any recognition or awards.