Contemporary Creator’s Festival

MMEA's CCF 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 our All-State Conference. 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. This year's conference and festival will take place at the DCU Center in Worcester.

 

2026 Contemporary Creators Festival

The Annual MMEA Contemporary Creators Festival will be held on the Thursday of the All-State Conference from 9:00 AM -2:30 PM. This event is open to student composers in three tracks (composition, electronic composition, and songwriting) and ensembles engaged in contemporary music making. More information about the festival is on the applications below:

 

CCF Ensembles - Application Due January 15th

https://form.jotform.com/251954759962172 

CCF Student Composers - Application Due January 15th

https://form.jotform.com/251954703802154

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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).

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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​​​