The IMEA Composition Competition is a thrilling annual event for young Indiana composers from grades six through college! Esteemed composers and educators evaluate their work and provide valuable feedback, fostering their growth as creative musical thinkers. It's a fantastic opportunity to shine and learn!

Click here for a list of the 2024 Gold Rating recipients!

 

Registration for the 2025 Composition Competition is now OPEN!  

Submission Deadline:

  • Online Registration Deadline for the 2025 competition: June 4, 2025
  • Registration is considered complete when the online registration is submitted and entry fees are received/paid.

Cost: $35 per composition entry.

Competition Entry:

The IMEA Composition Competition is open to students in three different divisions:

  • Middle School (grades 6-8)
  • High School (grades 9-12)
  • College (undergraduates only)

Each student must reside in Indiana and be sponsored by a school or private teacher who is an IMEA/NAfME member. Students should enter their concurrent academic school year, or the most recently concluded year.

Categories:

Composers may enter in multiple categories, but may only submit one work in each category. 

  • Arranging
  • Chamber Instrumental
  • Concert Band/Wind Ensemble
  • Electroacoustic
  • Jazz Big Band
  • Jazz Combo
  • Instrumental Solo
  • Orchestra (String)
  • Orchestra (Full)
  • Percussion Ensemble
  • Vocal Choir
  • Vocal Jazz
  • Vocal Solo (Accompanied or A Capella)

Judging:

Judging will be completed by a panel of 3 professional composers. The rating system will be based on a Gold-Silver-Bronze rating system. All applicants who receive the Gold rating will be recognized at the IMEA Professional Development Conference on January 16, 2026.

All applicants will receive feedback from all 3 judges.

Results:

Gold Rating recipients will be recognized Saturday, January 16, 2026 in Fort Wayne, in conjunction with the 2026 IMEA Professional Development Conference

 

 

Composition Competition Past Winners