Composers Today

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

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 on of several State Convention Symposium recitals based upon the two evaluators ratings and performance by the composer on a submitted tape recording.

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

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.

IMPROVISATION CELEBRATION: A performance of improvisation assignments from the MTAC Improvisation Syllabus and Guide and participation in "music of the moment" improvisation games and activities at the yearly MTAC convention. Improvisation can be for any instrument, including voice, capable of performing assignments from the syllabus. The program is open to students of MTAC teachers from the Preparatory Level through Advanced.

SENIOR MEDALLION: Medallions are awarded to high school seniors who have submitted a different composition in the CT program for 4 consecutive years from 9th to 12th grade, and have performed in at least one State Convention CT recital.

Deadlines

2007 - 2008

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 server as the sponsoring teacher.
Send application directly to YCG Chair, Ron Anderson

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, Glen Stark. Must be received by February 15th.

March 30th STATE CONTEST
Postmarked Deadline is March 30th. Applications sent to the CT Branch Chair Glen Stark.

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, Tamara Pease Ordaz

April 25th IMPROVISATION CELEBRATION
Summary: Open to students of MTAC teachers from Preparatory Level through Advanced Levels.
Postmarked Deadline is April 25th.

Visit the Composers Today State Website.

Contact Glen Stark for information at: 623-1314 or email: christopher.stark@worldnet.att.net

Glen Stark teaches composition both private and group lessons. For more information contact him directly by email or by phone.