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The submission deadline is March 15, 2024 at 11:59PM. No late entries will be accepted.

 

Students of ORMTA members in good standing are invited to submit their compositions to the ORMTA Music Writing Competition. Students receive helpful written feedback from a knowledgeable adjudicator. Students awarded first, second or third place in various classes based on age and genre are awarded scholarships.

 

The first place winner of the Open Class will receive the Eleanor Marzetti Scholarship, named in honour of one of ORMTA's distinguished past provincial presidents.

 

First place winners of various classes will have part of their score published in a future issue of NOTES Magazine and will represent Ontario in the CFMTA (Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Associations) National Student Composer Competition.

For more information, please email ORMTA's Music Writing Competition Convener, Olivia Riddell.

 

 

2024 Classes
2024 Rules & Regulations
2024 Adjudicator

Class P1

8 years and under
Fee: $25


An original composition for solo instrument or any combination of instruments. Music must be composed entirely by the child, but may be scored by an adult.

Enter Class P1

Class P2

8 years and under
Fee: $25


An original composition for voice(s) with or without accompaniment. Music must be composed entirely by the child, but may be scored by an adult.

Enter Class P2

Class A1

11 years and under
Fee: $30


An original composition for solo instrument or any combination of instruments. Music must be composed entirely by the child, but may be scored by an adult.

Enter Class A1

Class A2

11 years and under
Fee: $30


An original composition for voice(s) with or without accompaniment. Music must be composed entirely by the child, but may be scored by an adult.

Enter Class A2

Class B1

15 years and under
Fee: $35


An original composition for solo instrument or any combination of instruments. Music must be composed and scored entirely by the student.

Enter Class B1

Class B2

15 years and under
Fee: $35


An original composition for voice(s) with or without accompaniment. Music must be composed and scored entirely by the student.

Enter Class B2

Class C

19 years and under
Fee: $40


An original composition for any instrument or combination of instruments, voice(s) or combination of voice(s) and instrument with accompaniment when accompaniment is required for performance. Music must be composed and scored entirely by the student.

Enter Class C

Class D

Open
Fee: $45


An original composition for any instrument or combination of instruments, or voice(s) or combination of voice(s) and instruments with accompaniment when accompaniment is required for performance. Music must be composed and scored entirely by the student.

Enter Class D

2024 Rules & Regulations


Entry Requirements

  • The contestant must be eligible in his/her age group as of June 1, 2024.
  • Competitors may only submit entries in the categories listed above.
  • A student may enter more than one composition and more than one class, but may only receive one prize per class.
  • A student shall not submit a single composition in more than one class. However, a re-orchestration of a previously submitted composition is acceptable.
  • Each entry is assumed to be the original work of the individual whose name appears on the entry form. Any infraction of this regulation will result in nullification of the offending entry.
  • An entry fee is required to enter the competition. Please refer to the "Classes" tab for fees per class.
  • Entries must be received no later than March 15, 2024 at 11:59:59pm ET. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Composition Requirements
  • Neither the student’s name nor teacher’s name must appear on the composition.
  • Scores should include all necessary details of dynamics, editing and tempi, with the first bar of every system numbered.
  • All scores must be sent in .pdf format. Scores may be computer generated or handwritten neatly and legibly.
  • Please name files with class entered and student's name, as follows: P1_Johnny Smith_The Lake.pdf or P1_Johnny Smith_The Lake.mp3.
  • A recording of the composition (.mp3 format) MUST be included for compositions longer than four pages.
  • A recording of the composition (.mp3 format) MAY be included for shorter compositions if desired.
Teacher Approval
  • Teachers must email the convener a list of students entered and the titles of their scores, stating that they approve of their students' submission(s). Simply checking the box on the submission form is, unfortunately, inadequate.
  • Students can only submit compositions that have been approved by their teacher, who must be an ORMTA member in good standing. If a student submits a work that is later rejected by their teacher, then the composition will not be included in the competition and the application fee will not be refunded.
Results
  • The adjudicator’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into after final judging. The composition which receives the highest mark in each class will advance to the National level.
  • All rights to his/her original work will be retained by the competitor, but winning compositions may be displayed or employed by ORMTA and CFMTA for publicity purposes.
  • All entrants who move after June 1, 2024 must advise the ORMTA Music Writing Competition Convener of their change of address, including postal code.
  • All competitors will receive a written adjudication of their work(s).
Qualification
  • Only first place winning manuscripts at the provincial level will be forwarded to CFMTA for national adjudication (which takes place after June 1, 2024).
  • Winning entries will have the entry fee for the CFMTA Student Composer Competition covered by ORMTA.

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE FINAL. PLEASE CHECK YOUR WORK CAREFULLY. NO RE-SUBMISSIONS DUE TO EDITING OR CORRECTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. 

Gloria Chu is a dedicated composer, pedagogue, adjudicator, examiner, speaker, and performer. She is a multi-award winning composer of chamber, violin, cello, and piano works. Her compositions have been praised to “transport [the audience] into a heavenly world” by International Youth Music Competitions. Several of her pedagogical works have been featured in the Alliance for Canadian New Music Projects Contemporary Showcase syllabus. Her awards and recognitions include six Winning Awards from Alberta Piano Teachers Association Creative Music Writing Competition, Canadian Folk Song Arrangement Prize, First Place at the USA Modern and Contemporary Competition and First Place in Provincial Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association Student Composition.

Gloria holds two master’s degrees: MA in Piano (University of Ottawa) and MA in Strings (University of Chichester).  She has been recognized by Steinway & Sons with a Top Teacher Award and is the recipient of the Royal Conservatory of Music Teacher of Distinction Award for her leadership as a music educator.  Gloria has given presentations at city, provincial and national conferences on music learning topics. Her innovative teaching methods and pedagogy compositions motivate students to develop confidence in expressing their unique voice in both music and life.

www.gloriachumusic.com





To view all past MWC winners, please select "Competition Results" from our main menu above.