For more information, click on the links below.

• Information, Forms, Policies, Branch Packet and Film Scoring
• Young Composers Guild Information and Forms
• Composers Today 2009 State Contest Results

What is Composers Today?

The MTAC annually sponsors a multi-faceted program called Composers Today.

Purpose:

To foster creativity among students and teachers by encouraging composition and improvisation.

Objectives:

1. To provide education in the skills of composing and improvising by offering professional feedback, creative ideas and written materials consisting of the Composers Today Syllabus, Improvisation Syllabus and Guide, Games and Activities for Improvisation, and 6 levels of student workbooks.
2. To provide incentive for students of composition and improvisation by sponsoring statewide projects and events, each with a specific goal and deadline.
3. To provide recognition for young musicians through the presentation of certificates, awards, prizes and performance opportunities for their compositions and improvisations.
4. To offer opportunities and help in developing total musicianship skills in all MTAC students.

Projects:

There are four annual projects in Composers Today. Each has a separate performance event.

1. EVALUATIONS: A non-competitive learning experience where students receive a written response, in the form of constructive comments and ratings, from two professional evaluators.

SYMPOSIUM: Compositions from the Evaluations are selected for performance in one of several State Convention Symposium recitals based upon the two evaluators' ratings and performance by the composer on a submitted tape recording.

2. STATE CONTEST: This competition offers a 1st and 2nd cash prize for each of 8 divisions based on age as of March 30. Two professional adjudicators who provide constructive written comments judge compositions.

STATE CONTEST RECITAL: Winners perform their pieces (or have someone perform them) at the State Convention and receive a certificate and cash prize. Honorable mentions may play at convention and receive a certificate of performance.

3. YOUNG COMPOSERS GUILD: The Guild provides a special format for the serious young composers who plan to pursue music composition as a career. Students who have had their work performed at MTAC State Convention at least once during their high school years may apply for membership in the YCG. Students may be selected to perform at convention and by invitation for various branches throughout the state.
   
   
4. SENIOR MEDALLION: Senior Medallions are awarded to graduating high school seniors who have entered 3 different compositions in grades 9-12 including their senior year and performed in at least one State Convention Composers Today recital.

Deadlines for 2009 - 2010:

February 15th YOUNG COMPOSERS GUILD

Summary: Students must be in high school grades 10, 11, or 12 or at the collegiate level to be eligible to apply. High school students must be studying with an active MTAC teacher in good standing. The college student has studied during the high school years with an active MTAC teacher in good standing who will serve as the sponsoring teacher.
Send application directly to YCG Chair.

February 10th EVALUATIONS

Contact Branch Chair and inform them how many of your students plan to send compositions.

February 15th EVALUATIONS

Summary: 7 categories, from Pre-CM (Cat 0) to Advanced (Cat 4), including two categories for teacher composers (Cat 5 and 6).
Send composition, application and a check to the Branch Chair. Must be received by February 15th.

March 30th STATE CONTEST

Postmarked Deadline is March 30th. Applications sent to the CT Branch Chair.

April 15th SYMPOSIUM

Summary: For composers of all ages, including students and teachers, that have submitted an original composition in the Evaluations and meet the minimum requirements of a rating of 4 or 5.
Postmarked Deadline is April 15th. Applications sent directly to Symposium Chair.

Composers Today Council:

• State Coordinator,
• Information/Publicity Chair,
• Adjudicator Chair,
• Evaluations/ Finance/Records Chair,
• Regional Chair North,
• Regional Chair South,
• Symposium Chair,
• State Contest Chair,
• Young Composers Guild Chair,
• Advisory Board,