Composition Festival

The State Composition Festival is a competitive event that provides an opportunity for student composers, of all skill levels, to share their creative accomplishments. There is no age limit for participants.

The Composition Festival is open to any student composer studying with a teacher who is an active member in good standing with OMTA. Compositions of all musical styles and instrumentation are welcome! Adult students are also welcome to participate in this festival.

All compositions must be notated and adhere to our formatting guidelines in order to receive feedback and consideration for the State Festival.

There are two separate pathways for students to participate in the State Festival. Students only need to do one of them:

1. Students participate at the district level event. At the district level, compositions are adjudicated and students with the most outstanding compositions in each age division are chosen as Honored Composers. These Honored Composers are then invited to participate in the OMTA State Composition Festival.
2. Students participate in the Young Composers Project sponsored by the non-profit organization Fear No Music, directed by Jeff Payne. These students can participate in the State Festival without entering a district event.

For information about your district Composition Festival, contact your district chairperson or check district websites at https://oregonmta.org/membership/local-districts/.

State Festival Registration Instructions

State Festival Deadlines — May 16, 2026

• Online Registration (Including: $35 fee, PDF score, and unlisted or public YouTube link)
• District Composition Festival Report provided by district chairs
• District Honored Composers List provided by district

Virtual Recital — June 6, 2026

• Compilation of recorded student performances goes live on the OMTA website (below) and YouTube page.
• Composition Booklets are an additional $18.

PLEASE NOTE: There is also a separate national student composition competition sponsored by the Music Teachers National Association. Click here for more information on that competition.

Questions? Contact State Composition Festival Chair Robin Ziari.

District Forms

Teacher Guidelines
District Composition Festival Chairperson Checklist
Adjudicator Instructions
Blank Composer Evaluation Forms
District Honored Composers List  (District Chair return to Robin Ziari by May 16)
District Composition Festival Report  (District Chair return to Robin Ziari by May 16)

2026 Composition Festival State Recital

Honored Composers:

• Nora Nelson, age 7, student of Dianne Davies, Dawn of the Butterflies (Piano Solo)
• Alice Child, age 8, student of Heidi Evans, Hurricane in C Minor (Piano Solo)
• Annabella Liddell, age 9, student of Dianne Davies, Meadow (Piano Solo)
• Samantha Child, age 11, student of Heidi Evans, River Journey (Piano Solo)
• Mason Rasmussen, age 11, student of Lorraine Alner, Rain Dance (Piano Solo)
• Eleanor Pett, age 13, student of Heidi Evans, Troubling Thoughts (Piano Solo)
• Ryan Zawilski, age 14, student of Betsy Parker, The Clockwork Rhapsody (Piano Solo)
• Noah Mancini, age 15, student of Sandra Reitmeier-Coolen, Rhythm of Water (Piano Solo)
• Noah Johnson-Green, age 17, student of Rebecca Rice, Waltz in F Minor (Piano Solo)
• Zoey Allphin-Griffith, age 18, student of Sarah Milburn, Sun After the Rain (Piano Solo)
• Gus January, age 24, student of Joshua Hegg, To the Edge of Night (Ensemble)
• Ruby Engreitz, age 35, student of Joshua Hegg, A Beguine (What If It’s Real) (Piano Solo)