The Challenge

The National Young Composers Challenge is open to young musicians ages 13 to 18 who are U.S. residents.

The Challenge is simple. First, you can take part in a free full-day workshop with world-renowned composers and musicians. Then you write your own score for chamber ensemble or full orchestra. Finally, a panel of judges chooses the top three orchestral and top three ensemble compositions to be performed by a professional orchestra at the next YCC Composium.

PRIZES

Starting in 2013 there will be two Composiums held each year and two chances to win! Each Spring the Composium East will be held in Orlando featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and each Fall the Composium West will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area featuring the Marin Symphony.

At each Composium, the top three orchestral composers will be awarded $1000 each and the top three ensemble composers will be awarded $500 each.

PLUS! Each winner will receive a professional recording of their composition performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra or the Marin Symphony.

LISTEN TO THE 2011 WINNERS

This year, four ensemble and three full orchestra winners were selected for performance at the YCC Composium. Recordings of the performances can be heard on the Winners page of this website.

YCC Documentary

Get a DVD of the award-winning 90-minute documentary on the Young Composers Challenge with any contribution of $20 or more.

click here

SPONSORS

The Young Composers Challenge is supported by grants and in-kind donations from the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Full Sail University, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, United Arts of Central Florida, and the Goldman Charitable Foundation.

Special thanks to our generous patrons, Harriett Lake, Alan and Kelly Ginsberg, the Jeff Rupert family, and Daniel Crozier.