HomeMusic Writing Competition
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.
The deadline to apply is March 15, 2020.
| Class |
Age |
Fee |
Description |
Application |
| P1 |
8 years and under |
$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. |
Closed |
| P2 |
8 years and under |
$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. |
Closed |
| A1 |
11 years and under |
$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. |
Closed |
| A2 |
11 years and under |
$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. |
Closed |
| B1 |
15 years and under |
$35 |
An original composition for solo instrument or any combination of instruments. Music must be composed and scored entirely by the student. |
Closed |
| B2 |
15 years and under |
$35 |
An original composition for voice(s) with or without accompaniment. Music must be composed and scored entirely by the student. |
Closed |
| C |
19 years and under |
$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. |
Closed |
| D |
Open |
$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. |
Closed |
Please be advised that class E (Electronic Music) is no longer offered
- Competitions may submit entries in the categories listed above. No composition may be entered in more than one class. A student may enter more than one composition and more than one class, but may only receive one prize per class.
- The contestant must be eligible in his/her age group as of June 1, 2020.
- Each entry is assumed to be the original work of the individual whose name appears on the entry form attached to the manuscript. Any infraction of this regulation will result in nullification of the offending entry.
- A student shall not submit a specific composition more than once. However, a re-orchestration of a previously submitted composition is acceptable.
- All competitors will receive a written adjudication of their work.
- All rights to his/her original work will be retained by the competitor, but winning compositions may be displayed or employed by the ORMTA and CFMTA for publicity purposes.
- Scores must be submitted via email and should reach the Music Writing Competition Convener (as indicated on the entry form) no later than March 15, 2020. Only first place winning manuscripts at the provincial level will be forwarded to CFMTA for national adjudication (which takes place after June 1, 2020).
- Students can only submit compositions that have been approved by their teacher, 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. NEW: Teachers must email the convener a list of students and the titles of their scores, stating that the teacher approves of the submission(s). Simply checking the box on the submission form is, unfortunately, inadequate.
- All scores must be sent in .pdf format. Scores may be computer generated or handwritten neatly and legibly.
- Scores should include all necessary details of dynamics, editing and tempi, with the first bar of every system numbered.
- The student’s name must be included on their composition. The teacher’s name must not appear on the composition.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 entrants who move after June 1, 2020 must advise the ORMTA Music Writing Competition Convener of their change of address, including postal code.
- An entry fee is required to enter the competition. Please refer to the entry form for fees per class. When paying, please make it clear the name of the student entrant the fee is for. 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.
For more information, please email ORMTA's Music Writing Competition Convener, Susan Hamblin-Dennis.