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The Young Composer’s Forum at the Contemporary Creator’s Festival is an academic enrichment program for high school music students in Massachusetts. MMEA recognizes and encourages student music writers by hosting a special conference session at All State. During the session, students meet with an expert “in-the-field” educator/composer who provides inspiration and constructive feedback.

 

In addition to the composers forum, the Contemporary Creators Festival will also host several ensembles who will perform at various events throughout the day. All Contemporary Creators Festival students will also participate in a workshop with one of our outstanding clinicians. We encourage our student composers to attend the entire day of activities on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM. This year's conference and festival will take place at the DCU Center in Worcester.

 

Please note that only one composition is allowed per student, and there is a maximum of five compositions per school.

Students can submit pieces to one of three tracks; Composition, Electronic Composition, or Songwriting.

 

Composition submissions should more closely align with notated art music (i.e., large or small ensembles or solo instrument).

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Electronic Compositions are those composed electronically or include mostly electronic instruments (i.e., electro house or chillwave).

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Songwriting submissions are pieces for voice and either acoustic of electronic instruments where the lyrical content is a major component (i.e., rock, R&B, or country).

Some pieces could fit multiple tracks, please choose the best fit for your piece. For example, jazz pieces may fit to composition or songwriting & hip hop pieces may fit either electronic or songwriting. The composition submission board may also re-track submission if needed.

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Questions?

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Joe Pondaco, MMEA Composition Chair jpondaco@duxbury.k12.ma.us and/or Tom Westmoreland, Assistant Conference Chair DEIA@MassMEA.org

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More Information and Apply Here! 

Due: February 8th, 2024

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The MMEA Contemporary Creators Festival is an academic enrichment program for high school music students in Massachusetts. The festival includes several elements, including a masterclass/clinic with an expert educator/composer, performance opportunities for ensembles, and a composers forum for student composers from across the state.

Please note that all ensembles that are engaged in contemporary music making are welcome to join us for the festival. We do encourage all ensembles to participate in the entire day of activities on Thursday, March 21 from 9:00AM-2:30PM. This year's conference and festival will take place at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Please Note: Not all ensembles attending the Contemporary Creators Festival are required to perform. If you are interested in bringing students to the festival to participate in the clinic and observe the composers forum and concert hour, please contact Tom Westmoreland, Assistant Conference Chair, at DEIA@MassMEA.org.

Ensembles can participate in two types of performances: Concert Hour and Spotlight Concert. We will have two ensembles participate in the 1:30PM Concert Hour and one ensemble participate in the 12:00PM Spotlight Concert. Supporters and parents/guardians are welcome to attend the concert hour at no cost.

Transportation costs up to $500 will be reimbursed with payment invoice for the two schools who are participating in the Concert Hour. The school district or group is responsible for any further expenses. Unfortunately, we do not currently have funds to cover transportation for Spotlight Concert participants.

Applications are due by Friday, January 19, 2024 at 5:00PM.

Questions can be directed to Tom Westmoreland, Assistant Conference Chair, at DEIA@MassMEA.org.

More Information and Apply Here!
Due: January 19, 2024

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