To listen to the compositions from previous years, click here.
YCP OVERVIEW
The Young Composers Project (YCP) has been reimagined to create a dynamic, engaging, and interactive program for K-12 students in Maryland. Students, in collaboration with their school, private studio, or community organization music educators can submit up to three (3) original compositions in any of three categories: Notation, Digital Audio Workstation, and Songwriting. Compositions can be by a single composer, a pair/team, or an entire class.
Students will receive positive and constructive feedback from MMEA educators and Focusrite staff industry experts. We will NOT be rating the compositions but will provide certificates of participation.
Thanks to our sponsors, the Young Composers Project is free to submit. All related events and activities are hosted at no charge to the participants.
Richard McCready, YCP Chair and Mark Lortz, PhD, YCP Associate Chair
TIMELINE
Submission Window - January 3 to February 28, 2024 at 12pm (noon)
Results and Invitations Issued - First week of April 2024
Masterclasses - Saturday, April 20, 2024 2pm-4pm AND Sunday, April 21, 2024, 2pm-4pm
Showcase Released - End of May 2024
COMPOSITION CATEGORIES
There are three composition categories.
Notation
Music composed for acoustic or electronic instruments/voices, or a combination, realized in Notation software, e.g. Finale, Sibelius, Noteflight, Musescore, Dorico, Notion
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Electronic music composed in a Digital Audio Workstation, e.g. Ableton Live, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Logic, Garage Band, Soundtrap, Bandlab. This music may contain non-electronic instruments/voices recorded in the DAW.
Songwriting
Music composed for voice and instrument(s), and recorded in a Digital Audio Workstation.
MASTER CLASS and VIDEO SHOWCASE
For each composition submitted students will receive either an invitation to participate in a masterclass and recorded video showcase OR will be asked to review their comments and resubmit next year.
MMEA will livestream two masterclasses. Each showcase student will receive live feedback from professional producers/composers, and educators.
Each showcase student will then submit a final audio or video of their composition, either recorded live with acoustic instruments or exported from DAW with accompanying visuals. All recordings will be assembled into one final Showcase, presented on MMEA and sponsor websites.
ELIGIBILITY
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YCP is open to all Maryland music students enrolled in classes/lessons, grades K-12.
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Each student must have the support of their public/private school, private studio, or community organization music educator.
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All YCP compositions must have a signed letter of support from their music educator uploaded with submission.
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Music educators membership in MMEA/NAfME is encouraged but not required.
Single Composers: The caregiver submitting the composition will enter the music educator’s name and contact information. The signed letter of support will serve as eligibility confirmation.
Pair/Team, Class Composers: The applicant can be the music educator or a designated caregiver. The person completing the form will enter the music educator’s name and contact information. The signed letter of support will serve as eligibility confirmation.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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Submissions will only be accepted through the online submission platform.
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Create a free account in the online audition platform, or sign in to an existing account.
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Record the composition. LABEL the file for easy reference.
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Complete the online submission form and upload the student composition recording and accompanying required documents. Submissions cannot be accepted without a recording.
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There is no fee for submitting compositions to the Young Composers Project.
In order to maintain the integrity of the “blind” review process, all submissions will remain “In Progress” for the entire review process.
COMPOSITION FEEDBACK
Each composition will be evaluated by one MMEA reviewer and two Focusrite staff industry experts. The only information the reviewers see in the submission process is the composer's grade, required composition documents, and audio recording.
Music composition is highly personal work. In reinventing YCP, the decision has been made to eliminate the ratings and focus on positive and constructive feedback. Students will receive comments in the following categories: Originality, Compositional Technique, Compositional Maturity and Presentation, Overall Appeal. In addition, students will either receive an invitation to participate in the live-virtual master class and video showcase OR be asked to review their comments and re-submit next year.
All comments and feedback will be sent to the music educator indicated on the form.
NOTATION COMPOSITIONS
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Compositions must not exceed five (5) minutes in duration.
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Works may be composed by an individual composer, pair/team, or entire class.
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Compositions may be written for solo, small, or large ensembles.
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Plagiarism of copyrighted material is illegal. It is the responsibility of the student and sponsor teacher to ensure that the music submitted has not infringed upon an existing copyright. Arrangements of public domain works will be accepted.
DAW COMPOSITIONS
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Compositions must not exceed five (5) minutes in duration.
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Works may be composed by an individual composer, pair/team, or entire class.
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Music should be composed in a Digital Audio Workstation, e.g. Ableton Live, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Logic, Garage Band, Soundtrap, Bandlab.
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Both hardware and software instruments are acceptable for use in the production.
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Vocal and/or acoustic instruments may be combined with electronic instruments.
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Students may produce compositions in any genre (Experimental, EDM, Pop, Hip Hop, Trap, etc.) of their choice; however, at this time, remixes will not be accepted.
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The use of legally obtained loops and samples is permitted, but it is strongly encouraged that students re-work this material in some way (such as chopping and/or using DSP functions).
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Plagiarism of copyrighted material is illegal. It is the responsibility of the student and sponsor teacher to ensure that the music submitted has not infringed upon an existing copyright. Arrangements of public domain works will be accepted.
SONGWRITING SUBMISSIONS
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Compositions must not exceed five (5) minutes in duration.
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Works may be composed by an individual composer, pair/team, or entire class.
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Students are encouraged to submit an original song from any popular music genre. (Art songs and Jazz songs should be submitted to the Notation category.)
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Complete submissions include an audio recording and a lyric sheet. Lead sheets are not required, but are accepted.
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Plagiarism of copyrighted material is illegal. It is the responsibility of the student and sponsor teacher to ensure that the music submitted has not infringed upon an existing copyright. Arrangements of public domain works will be accepted.
ALL COMPOSITION REQUIREMENTS
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Composer(s) Name
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Music Educator Name
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Music Educator Email
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School/Organization
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School/Organization County
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Title of Composition
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Notation Category - PDF of Musical Score (notation program or handwritten)
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DAW Category - Screenshots of DAW sequencer window
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Songwriting Category - Lyric Sheet or Lead Sheet
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Educator Signed Letter of Support
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Audio Recording: .mov, .avi., .mp4., .wav formats accepted
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Media Release (check box)
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Caregiver/Applicant E-Signature
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Caregiver/Applicant Email
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Caregiver/Applicant Phone
SUBMISSION FORM
QUESTIONS & COMMUNICATION
To help facilitate this virtual process, caregivers or students may need to communicate with MMEA staff for questions and support. We ask that the student’s music educator be copied on all messages to MMEA to assure transparency and accurate communication. MMEA staff will extend the same courtesy in the event staff needs to communicate with caregivers.
Please contact MMEA Staff at mmeamarylandinfo@gmail.com with questions.
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
Focusrite believes in enriching peoples' lives through music, and are proud to play their part in that massive endeavor. Focusrite wants to make music easier to make and believes in a world where all musicians are able to record their own sound with ease. Since the 1980s, they have been creating high-quality audio products, along with their nine sister brands. For more information, visit their website: About Us | Focusrite
Novation has always been on a mission to help artists sculpt and perform sound; to help electronic music makers lose themselves on an endless music-making journey. Since 1992, Novation has been a pioneer in developing music technology that has allowed artists to create decade-defining sounds. For more information, visit their website: About Us | Novation (novationmusic.com)
EDUCATOR AND STUDENT RESOURCES
Online Workshops for Young Composers
https://www.gocomposenorthamerica.com/
Top 6 websites: music composition resources; I Can Compose
https://www.icancompose.com/6-places-to-find-music-composition-resources/
Resources for Young Composers; Sound and Music
https://soundandmusic.org/post/resources-for-young-composers/
Music Composition Resources For The Secondary Classroom; J.W. Pepper & Son
https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/secondary-general-composition-resources.list
