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WSMA/DPI Student Composition Project

Student Composition Project Guidelines

The Student Composition Project provides an opportunity for the encouragement of artistic and compositional skills of Wisconsin students. Composition is also an important criterion of the National Standards for Arts Education, and is a natural extension of the creativity mode of music learning specified in Wisconsin’s music curriculum guide.

The Wisconsin School Music Association, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, is sponsoring the 20th annual Student Composition Project. The two winning student composers in each division will receive scholarships to study with a professional composer.

View the 2007 Student Composition Project Winners

Eligibility

  1. Any student from a WSMA-member school currently in grades 5 – 12 may submit original compositions. Students in grades 5 – 8 will enter the Middle School Division. Students in grades 9 – 12 will enter the High School Division.
  2. Students may enter as many original compositions as they wish, but can only enter once in each category.
  3. A CD or taped recording of the work must be submitted with the composition unless it is absolutely impossible to record the work. Sequenced recordings are perfectly acceptable.
  4. Each composition must have a title or number.
  5. Rehearsal numbers must appear at least every 10 measures.
  6. The student’s name and name of school must not appear on the manuscript because the judges evaluate each composer’s skills anonymously.
  7. All entries must be submitted with the score, recording and Student Composition Project Entry Form by March 7, 2008. The Entry Form follows this document.
  8. Works must be legible, accurate, and preferably use computer notation software.
  9. Two or more students may submit a combined work under the “Collaborative” category.

Evaluation

  1. Melody, rhythm, harmony, form, creativity and general effect are the criteria used to evaluate each student composition. The Student Composition Project is meant to encourage the creative use of these elements of music, and should not be used solely to teach music technology skills.
  2. Compositions will be evaluated by two professional Wisconsin composers/educators.
  3. Students will receive comment forms from both judges.

Awards

  1. Each judging team selects the top three compositions in each division. These students, along with those who compose the “Best of” in each category, receive engraved plaques at a special Awards Ceremony held at the State Capitol in late May. Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and family members are invited to attend this ceremony. Honorable Mention certificates may also be awarded, if any piece merits such an award.
  2. The First Place winner in each division will be given a scholarship to study with a professional composer to further nurture their composition talents.
  3. A single entry in one category does not guarantee a first place award in that category. Student Composition Project Awards are based solely on merit. 

Download the 2008 WSMA/DPI Student Composition Project Entry Form