Contest Guidelines

Eligibility

1. Participation and entry are free!
2. Entrants must be U.S. residents.
3. Entrants must be between the ages of 13 and 18 years at the time of submission.
4. Workshop attendees may submit compositions to either or both Composiums.
5. Competition entrants are not required to have attended a workshop.

Compositions

1. Entrants may submit only one composition per Composium.
2. Entrants must submit either a full orchestra or a chamber ensemble composition.
3. You may enter a composition in either Composium East or West, or both, regardless of where you live in the U.S.
4. Compositions must be composed solely by the entrant.
5. Compositions may not exceed 5 minutes in length.
6. Instrumentation for orchestral compositions may include only the instruments listed below. It is suggested but not required that you use all the instruments:
   Flutes 1&2, Oboes 1&2, Clarinets 1&2, Bassoons 1&2
   French Horns 1,2,3,4, Trumpets 1&2, Trombones 1&2, Bass Trombone, Tuba
   Timpani, Percussionists 1&2, Harp
   1st Violins, 2nd Violins, Violas, Cellos, Basses.

   (Flute 1 may double on Piccolo. Oboe 1 may double on English Horn.)
7. Chamber ensemble compositions may be written for 2 to 6 instruments selected from the following list (not to exceed the numbers in parentheses):
   Flute/Piccolo (2), Oboe/English Horn (2), Clarinet (2), Bassoon (2)
   French Horn (4), Trumpet (2), Trombone (3), Tuba (1)
   Violin (6), Viola (4), Cello (4), Bass (2), Piano (1), Harp (1)
   Percussionists (3)
8. A composition that includes copyrighted text must include a written statement from the copyright holder giving permission to use the text. If the text is in the public domain, a signed statement including this fact must accompany the score.

Submitting Compositions

1. Submit four copies of the original score.
   Scores must be labeled with composer's name, age, school, city, state. Computer-generated scores are preferred. Handwritten scores are acceptable if they are clearly legible. All scores should be no larger than 11x17 inches, bound. (e.g. spiral, staple, etc.)
2. Submit a CD with a MIDI-generated audio file of the composition in MP3, WAV, or AIFF format.
   Alternatively, an audio recording played on piano, etc. may be submitted. CD should be labeled with the composition title and composer's name.
3. Send compositions with an entry cover letter (PDF) to:
   National Young Composers Challenge
   PO Box 1689
   Winter Park, FL 32790-1689
4. Submission materials will not be returned.
5. Entrants must submit their full packet postmarked no later than the submission deadlines published in the Schedule on the How It Works page of this website.

Judging

1. Each Spring, a panel of four judges will select six winners for the Composium East, and each Fall, six winners will be selected for the Composium West.
2. Scores will be judged based upon artistic quality, and skill in orchestration, notation, and scoring.
3. All entrants will receive recorded audio comments from the judges.

Winners

1. The six winning compositions for each Composium will include three compositions for full orchestra and three compositions for chamber ensemble.
2. All compositions will be performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra or the Marin Symphony.
3. Each orchestral winner will receive $1000 and each ensemble winner will receive $500.
4. Winners must provide one copy of each individual instrument part.
   If necessary, the orchestra will make photo-copies of each part. Scores and parts must include measure numbers and rehearsal letters. Although two different instruments (such as Trumpet 1 and Trumpet 2) may be combined on a single staff in the conductor's score, do not combine instruments on the individual parts which will be given to the musicians.
5. Each winner will receive a professional recording of their composition performed at the Composium.
6. Each winner must be present at the Composium in order to receive the prize money.
7. Each winner must provide their own transportation and lodging for the Composium.