Description and Purpose of Event

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. Compositions receiving a Superior or Excellent rating are eligible to enter the TMTA-SA Original Composition Contest, and a chance to have their work performed at the TMTA Convention.

Eligibility

Each entrant must be enrolled in TMTA Student Affiliate and must pass the entering school year’s appropriate grade level Theory Test.

Contest Divisions:

1. Divisions designated by S are solo compositions with one performer only. This division does not include voice/piano or instrumental/piano.

2. Divisions E and L are ensemble compositions. For contest purposes, an ensemble is defined as any composition requiring two or more performers.

   a. Division E: Compositions requiring 10 or fewer voices and/or instruments with one performer per part. If percussion is included, one percussion performer counts as one voice or one instrument, even though that performer may be playing more than one instrument. A piano score with text will not qualify for an ensemble division. The vocal part should be notated on a separate staff if voice/piano.

   b. Division L: compositions requiring more than 10 voices and/or instruments with one performer per part.

3. Contest divisions are as follows:

   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 E1-4: Grades 1-4

   Division E5-8: Grades 5-8

   Division E9-12: Grades 9-12

   Division EP12: Post-12

   Division L1-12: Grades 1-12

   Division LP12: Post-12

Entry Deadline

Deadline for entry is December 15, 2023.

To submit an entry please use this online form. One form per entry. See Submission Guidelines below.

Event Fees

$25 per entry (all divisions)

Please pay online here. You will need your member’s password.

Guidelines and Instructions:

Composition Guidelines:

The composition must be prepared according to rules found in the current TMTA Handbook. This is available on the TMTA website, tmta.org/student-activities/student-affiliate-activities/original-composition-contest/

Submission Guidelines:

You may submit entries online using this form. One form per entry.

Entry forms require the following information:

1. PHOTO: a photo of the entering student as a jpg, jpeg, gif, or png

2. SCORE: the score of each composition as a PDF

3. AUDIO FILE: an audio file of the composition as a MP3

4. STUDENT CONTACT INFORMATION: student’s name, age, grade level in school, and email (if available)

5. PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION: parent’s name, email address, and telephone number

6. TEACHER CONTACT INFORMATION: If the student studies with more than one teacher (composition and performance) you will need to submit contact info for each teacher.

Awards

Compositions receiving a Superior or Excellent rating are eligible to enter the TMTA-SA Original Composition Contest, and a chance to have their work performed at the TMTA Convention.