Looking for a new challenge for your students this year? Why not have them compose something for the Young Composers Project. It is amazing what music composition teaches students: rhythm, harmony, melody, theory and so much more (basically all of the Music Literacy skills). It is also a great way for students to use their creative skills. Many students start by just improvising on a piece they are working on and turn it into a completely new piece. Other students like themes. This summer my students picked food. We talked about the process of making these foods and how that would sound–making noodles and pouring the water off (scale or glissando). Students came up with amazing stories and food: sushi, pesto pasta, strawberry shortcake to name a few. We had a recital in September and students brought the food that went with their composition. Lots of fun!
Each year we have outstanding judges for the YCP. Many students submit multiple pieces because they want the feedback from these judges. This year we will have 3 of the same judges as in the past: Rick Asher, Dr. Terry McQuikin, and Dr. Jiyoung Chung. Dr. Charles Halka is on sabbatical this year and so we welcome a new judge, Dr. William Dougherty, Composer and Professor of Music at University of Washington. Pictures and bios can be found on the WSMTA website under the Young Composers Project.
This year we have moved up the deadline for submissions: it will be January 5, 2026. Thus the Young Composers Project open registration will run from December 1, 2025 through January 5, 2026. The only change this year was the deadline for submissions. Travel grants will again be given to all YCP performers and their collaborators (accompanist or ensemble partners) who attend the WSMTA conference YCP recital. We look forward to many wonderful compositions.
Remember to note that the changes from previous years remain.
1) Once someone wins (1st place only) in 2026, they will not be eligible to compete in 2027. They can submit for comment only. They will be eligible for competition again in 2028. Anyone receiving 2nd, 3rd or Honorable Mention is eligible to compete again each year.
2) All solo and duet performances must be live. Video recordings of a live performance of a winning composition with three or more players will be allowed. The 2026 performance will take place in late June.
3) The performance time of compositions will be limited to 3 min for K-4, 5 min for grades 5-8 and 7 minutes for grades 9-12.
4) The collegiate and teacher categories have been removed due to insufficient participation.
If you have any questions or ideas or want to join me, we are actually looking for someone to either take over this position or co-chair with me, I can be reached at [email protected].
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Goei, NCTM, Chair YCP