Kathy Briggs and Jason Rodgers, Co-Chairs
Submission Deadline: November 1, 2026
Click here for 2027 submission form.
Student Composition Contest rubric.
The OMEA Student Composition Contest was created to promote music literacy, music theory, and creative composition for students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Students are encouraged to submit original compositions (not arrangements of other works) written in any style, genre, or format, whether traditional, contemporary, or experimental. Works may be created for any combination of instruments, voices, and sounds, and may include traditional, electronic, songwriting, and loop-based approaches.
Students can submit in two categories:
- Traditional Notation. A PDF file of the music written in traditional music notation is required (handwritten and converted to PDF, or generated with software such as Sibelius, Noteflight, MuseScore, Dorico, etc.). An MP3 recording is required (live or MIDI generated). A short description (up to 250 words) must accompany the piece, describing the creative process, tools used, and musical inspiration.
- Electronic, Songwriting, and Loop-based Music. A lead sheet, lyric/chord sheet, or a screenshot/video of the DAW project is required. An MP3 recording/export of the music is required. A short description (up to 250 words) must accompany the piece, describing the creative process, tools used, and musical inspiration.
In either category, submissions must be original. Arrangements of other composers’ works are not allowed in
the traditional notation and song writing categories. No copyrighted loops, samples, or melodies are allowed in
the electronic or loop-based categories unless cleared/licensed proof is provided.
Other contest requirements:
• Student compositions must be entered into the grade level in which they are currently enrolled during the
2026-2027 school year, regardless of when the composition was written. Example: If an 8th grade student
composed a song in the spring of their 8th grade year, they would enter it into the high school category
this fall.
• Minimum Length of Composition:
o Elementary Composers (grades K–5): 1 minute
o Middle School Composers (grades 6–8): 2 minutes
o High School Composers (grades 9–12): 3 minutes
• Students may only enter one (1) composition per category. Students may enter both a Traditional
Notation composition and an Electronic/Songwriting/Loop-based composition.
Judging and awards:
There are four (2) categories and four (4) scoring rubrics.
1) Traditional Notation
2) Electronic/Songwriting/Loop-based
The same rubrics are used at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. The rubrics for each
category can be found here: OMEA Student Composition Contest Scoring Rubric
• Compositions will be assessed, scored, and ranked separately by three (3) individual judges. Rankings will
be compiled to determine the champion of both categories at each grade level.
- TRADITIONAL NOTATION CATEGORY CHAMPION
- ELECTRONIC/SONGWRITING/LOOP-BASED CATEGORY CHAMPION
In the event of a tie, two winners may be announced for a category. Honorable Mentions may also be
awarded to outstanding submissions.
Champion and Honorable Mention composers will be recognized on the OMEA website, along with an
audio file of their composition, their teacher, and their school.
• Our volunteer judges do not have the capacity to provide comments or feedback on submissions to
students or teachers.
• OMEA neither publishes nor shares scores or rankings of submissions with students or teachers.
• Results will be announced mid-December.
• Student champions and their parents will be invited to attend the OMEA State conference banquet in
January to be celebrated in person and to receive their trophy.
2027 Composers’ Symposium (High School Only)
Up to ten (10) high school OMEA Composition Contest Finalists in the Traditional Composition category will
be selected to participate in the Composer’s Symposium sponsored by the Oregon Coast Youth Symphony
Festival at Newport in April. Selected students will receive individual instruction (in-person & via Skype/Zoom)
from December through April with a professional composer at OSU. Each student participating in the
Symposium will receive a $250 scholarship from the Festival and have all expenses paid (motel, food, etc.)
during the Symposium. More information about the OCYS Festival and Composers’ Symposium is available
by contacting Dr. Michael Dalton at dr.michael.dalton@gmail.com and at their website:
http://youthsymphonyfestival.org/
Questions about the OMEA Student Composition Contest? Contact contest co-chairs:
• Kathy Briggs at kathy.briggs@smapdx.org (Traditional Composition)
• Jason Rodgers at jrodgers@woodburnsd.org (Electronic, Songwriting, and Loop-based Music).
Thank you, and best of luck with your submissions. We look forward to hearing your music!
2027 OMEA Student Composition Contest Submission Form
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2019-20 Composition Contest Winners
2018-19 Composition Contest Winners