Click here to download a printable PDF of the Rules & Guidelines.

2023 SMTA Simon-Fiset Composition Competition

Rules and Guidelines

Deadline for receipt of compositions: 11:59 PM on March 20, 2023

Results will be announced by April 30, 2023

ELIGIBILITY

The contest is open to students of grades 1-12 in four divisions:

Myrtle Noble Division: School grades 1-3

Vie Husted Division: School grades 4-6

Laura Jensen Division: School grades 7-9

Lockrem Johnson Division: School grades 10-12

REQUIREMENTS

Each level has the same requirements with the exception of the Myrtle Noble Division.

Entries from students in this division should also include a scan or photograph of an original piece of artwork that expresses the musical idea of the piece. Students in grades 4-12 are welcome to submit artwork as well, but it is not mandatory, and will not affect the adjudication.

There is no limit on length, form, instrumentation/voice or style/genre. However, this competition is intended to be for Classical music (not Popular music) which can include ideas taken from the Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary periods, including Jazz.

Students may enter more than once, but must submit a separate application and fee with each composition.

A composition that utilizes copyrighted text must include a written statement from the copyright holder that gives permission to use the text. If the text is in the public domain, please include a signed note to indicate this. If the text is original, please include a signed note indicating that the text is your own.

Students may submit a live audio recording with acoustic instrumentation, or a “computer performance” of the composition. Recordings must be audio only, no video.

No indication of the student’s name or teachers’ name(s) should be on the score or recording. Pages must be numbered. Put the student's grade level in school and length of time they have studied COMPOSITION in the upper right corner of the first page of the piece.

AWARDS

All participating students will receive a written adjudication. The 1st place-3rd place winners will receive a monetary award via Visa gift card, a certificate, and the opportunity to have their composition featured on the SMTA YouTube channel. Honorable mentions may be awarded at the discretion of the adjudicator, and will receive certificates but no monetary prizes.

ENTRY FEES

SMTA member teacher / SMTA non-member teacher

Grades 1-3: Myrtle Noble Division

$30 / $50

Grades 4-6: Vie Husted Division

$35 / $55

Grades 7-9: Laura Jensen Division

$40 / $60

Grades 10-12: Lockrem Johnson Division

$45 / $65

REGISTRATION PROCESS

On the Simon-Fiset Composition registration page, select student’s grade in school and teacher’s SMTA member status and click “Add to cart”. Registration form will appear.

Complete the pop-up form with student information, then click “Add to cart”.

Click on the cart icon on the top right of the page to pay the fee and complete checkout.

Email the information listed in the checklist below to simonfisetcomposition@gmail.com

before March 20.

CHECKLIST for online submissions (emailed to simonfisetcomposition@gmail.com before March 20):

Full score, in PDF format

Audio recording of piece, with live instruments or digital instrumentation, in mp3 format

Required for school grades 1-3: a scan or photo of composer’s original artwork that expresses the musical idea of the piece. (Optional for grades 4 and above.)

If lyrics are used, one of the following:

a signed note that the text is your own

a written statement from the copyright holder that gives permission to use the text

a signed note to indicate the text is in the public domain

Optional: Composer’s statement (if submitting, include the name of the composition but no other identifying information)

Questions? Please email: simonfisetcomposition@gmail.com