Description and Purpose: This contest promotes creativity in original composition. Students are encouraged to give form to their experience with melody, harmony and rhythm as appropriate to their grade level. Top rated compositions are eligible to enter the State Competition.

Eligibility: Student Affiliate members in grades 1-12 who have passed the Fall or Spring TMTA Theory Test in the same school year of contest participation with a score of 70% or higher, or a Post 12th Grade SA member (Theory Test not required).

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 10 min.

5. This contest has twelve divisions depending on the school grade and whether the composition is a solo or an ensemble (refer to the TMTA HANDBOOK).

6. For more information, including more detailed preparation instructions, refer to the TMTA Handbook

Submittal of Manuscripts:

1. Registration for this event does not have to be done through this website. However, before submission, call Dr. Ann Witherspoon to let her know you are about to email a piece.

2. Compositions are submitted ELECTRONICALLY, so email a PDF file to ann@witherspoonmusic.net.

3. Payment for this event must be submitted online, through this website.

4. In the email please include: Student’s name/mailing address, Parent’s name/email/address, Student’s age/grade, Teacher’s name/email/address, Complete title of the work (including movement numbers or titles), Division/Level & Duration of the piece.

Criteria used in evaluating compositions:

1. Observance of the basic skills in music manuscript writing

2. Formal organization of material, variety, unity, etc.

3. Logical use of rhythmic, harmonic and melodic ideas.

4. Creativity and originality

5. Idiomatic writing for instrument(s), voice, etc.

6. Again, refer to the TMTA Handbook for further evaluation criteria

Awards: Each student will receive an Original Composition Certificate and a rating sheet evaluating his/her composition. It is hoped that the rating will encourage all students by enabling them to know the strengths and weaknesses of their work. The compositions are judged locally (Leota Stilwell Contest), and all “excellent” and “superior” works are advanced to the state level at the consent of student and teacher. Compositions may be modified, using the suggestions of the local judge before sending the compositions to the state level for judging. There are cash awards at the state level and the opportunity for a student’s composition to be performed at the state convention.

Fee: Local HMTA entry fee of $20 per entry by check from teacher (not student) sent to:

Dr. Ann Witherspoon

9210 Larston Street

Houston, TX 77055-6418

DO NOT ENTER AND PAY ON THE TMTA WEBSITE UNTIL THE COMPOSITION HAS BEEN PROCESSED ON THE LOCAL HMTA LEVEL.

Teacher Responsibility: See standing Rule #1.

Submit Payment For Registrations