Young Composers Competition

2024-25 Competition Information

The New Jersey Music Educators Association is proud to announce the 2025-2026 New Jersey Young Composers Competition (NJYCC) for high school students in grades 9-12 (graduating June 2026).

Finalists will be invited to attend an interview and critique session to be held during the NJMEA State Conference at the Atlantic City Convention Center on Saturday, February 21, 2026. In additi0on, the winning composer(s) will be announced at that time and awards will be presented. All other participating student composers are welcome to attend. The exact time and location will be announced in January 2026.

The deadline for online application submissions is December 12, 2025. Endorsement page and application fees must be postmarked by December 12, 2025 as well.

Questions about the competition may be directed to Dr. Andrew Bleckner, NJYCC Chairman.

NJYCC Rules and Guidelines

Categories for Submission

Composers may submit works for vocal ensemble, instrumental ensemble, or mixed. All works must be 100% original. No arrangements or transcriptions will be accepted.

Competition Guidelines

Applicants must be New Jersey residents and must be sponsored by a current NJMEA/NAfME member.

  1. Students may submit multiple selections in each category, however a $20 application fee is required with each selection. Each entry must be have a separate completed application form and entry fee in order to be considered for eligibility.

  2. All compositions must have a title or opus number, and all composer names must be omitted from the score, program note, and audio file so that submissions may be judged anonymously.

  3. Students must include a brief program note that includes the composition title, with composer name omitted, describing the composer’s intention of the work.

  4. All scores must be submitted as PDF’s using a standard notation program, such as Sibelius. No handwritten scores will be considered for entry.

  5. Students must submit an audio recording of their composition in MP3 or WAV format, a PDF (digital copy) of their score and PDF of composition description/program note. Submissions without recordings or PDF score will not be considered for entry.

  6. All measures must be numbered in the score.

  7. While the applicant will retain ownership of their submission, all submissions will be kept by the NJMEA. No materials will be returned to students. NJMEA reserves the right to use student submissions for publicity and/or display. Finalist compositions will be posted on the NJMEA website.

  8. Submissions must be no longer than 7 minutes in length and generally within the difficulty range of Grades 2-4.

How to Submit a Composition

  1. Download and complete the attached PDF file titled “2025-2026 NJMEA-YCC Application Form”. Send the completed form along with the $20.00 entry fee to the following address: Dr. Andrew Bleckner, 7 Princeton Way, West Windsor, NJ 08550. Checks should be made out to “NJMEA”

  2. Send the following materials by email to Andrew Bleckner:

    • A wav. or mp3 file of the piece (may be computer recorded or live).

    • A pdf file of the program notes containing a description of the piece.

    • A pdf file of the full score.

  3. All files must not have any personal identifying information, including name, grade, or school in order to be accepted into the competition.

  4. Multiple submissions from the same composer will be accepted; however, a separate application and entry fee are required for each submission. For questions, please contact Dr. Andrew Bleckner, NJ-YCC Chairman,.

Evaluation Critera

Evaluation of all submissions will be received by NJMEA approved Competition Judges. This panel will judge all works according to the following guidelines: 

  • Originality: Demonstrating a personal/unique style showing individual creativity.

  • Compositional Technique: Must have identifiable form, structure, and development. Correct usage of musical notation and score markings.

  • Accessibility: Must be playable by student ensembles on limited rehearsals.

  • Compositional Maturity: Knowledge of medium, effective use of instruments/voices, and look of professionalism in score and recording.

  • Overall Appeal: Must be innovative, imaginative, and enjoyable.

Competition Policies

  • In the case of a tie, the highest and lowest scores will be eliminated and the overall score recalculated. If there is still a tie after the recalculation, then both entries will be accepted into the finals and receive the same placement.

  • If a single participant receives multiple placements in the finals, then the judges will accept the piece with the highest score.

  • The judges have the right to request changes to any vocal and instrumental piece that contains potentially inappropriate or offensive material (i.e. lyrics, program notes, etc.). In addition, participants who do not demonstrate ethical or moral behavior during all aspects of the competition may be disqualified through a vote by the NJ-YCC Committee.

  • The Grand Prize winner will consist of the piece that receives the highest score in any division.

  • Prizes will be determined based on availability by the NJ-YCC Committee.

  • The NJ-YCC Committee has the right to change or alter these policies at any time on a case-by-case basis.