PCMEA New
Music Festival
2022-23

2023 PCMEA New Music Festival Submission Requirements
1.     Previously published works are not eligible for submission.
2.     Compositions must include a title.
3.     Compositions must not exceed four (4) minutes in duration.
4.     Compositions may be for:
·      Solo voice or instrument, with or without accompaniment
·      Any combination of 2 or more instruments and/or voices
·      Instruments, voices, and other sounds may be acoustic and/or electronic
5.     Each applicant may submit a maximum of two compositions, but each composition requires a separate application.
6.     Applicants must have a faculty sponsor who is a member of PCMEA.
7.     Plagiarism of copyrighted material is illegal. It is the responsibility of the composer to assure that music submitted is not copyrighted. If any elements of the composition entry are copyrighted, it is the responsibility of the composer to secure permission for use of those elements. For more information on copyright, go to www.nafme.org/copyright.

Submission Checklist
REQUIRED FILE UPLOADS
•      Choir/Band/Orchestra/Chamber: a PDF score, a software instrument MIDI recording, optional live recorded human performance
•      Electronic Music: a software instrument MIDI recording, a full-project zoomed-out screenshot must be provided showing all tracks and regions in the project.
•      Songwriters: lyrics sheet, lead sheet, and recorded vocal performance.  The backing track can be a software instrument MIDI recording. 

Artist Statement:
Tell us about this work. You may include your inspiration, compositional process, etc.

Submissions due by April 1, 2023. 

Any questions or comments should be directed to the PCMEA New Music Festival Chair: 
Mrs. Ann Adair, adaira@pcsb.org

Updated: 11/6/2022, ACA

EVALUATION CRITERIA
Compositions submitted to the PCMEA New Music Festival are evaluated according to three broad criteria:

1. Compositional Technique includes the following elements, where applicable: 
  • Organization of pitch elements (such as melody, harmony, and counterpoint)
  •  Organization of rhythmic elements 
  • Formal design
  • Accuracy and clarity of notation
  • Appropriate writing for instruments and/or voices

2. Overall Musical Appeal includes the following aspects: 
  • Stylistic coherence (regardless of the particular style)
  • Effective handling of unity/variety and tension/release
  •  Effective use of dynamics, articulations, and expression marks
  • Interaction of all of the elements (atmosphere, mood, direction, and flow of the music)

3. Originality
  • Refers to aspects of the piece that reveal the composer’s individual “voice” and distinguish the piece from a musical exercise or a direct imitation of another piece.​

CHECK Out LAST yeAR's WINNERS

Congratulations to the student composers who
​were selected for the 2022 PCMEA New Music Festival!

2022 PCMEA New Music Festival Honors
GRAND PRIZE $250
Adrenaline 
Wind Ensemble by Ethan J. Abercrombie, TSHS, Kevin Ford

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE $100 
(in no particular order)
FADE 
Dylan Schroeder, HHS, Dr. Nicholas Stefanic
Cotton Candy 
Lori Nguyen, Binh Luong, and Alexis Winter, HHS, Dr. Nicholas Stefanic
Feuilleter 
Alexander J. Turner, PHUHS, James Dykes
Parasocial! 
Jaylyn Mischke and Aria Holden, HHS, Dr. Nicholas Stefanic
Etude in A Flat Major 
Larissa Samson, ELHS, Ian Black

HONORABLE MENTIONS
(in no particular order)
The Secret Within Sound 
Makena Kovacs, MFMS, Marlana Maiani
Empty Promises 
Sarena (Lena Adams and Sarah Keovongsa), HHS, Dr. Nicholas Stefanic
Peasants Parade 
Jonathan Miller, PCCA, Ann Adair
Ice Tundra 
Raymond Shaw, HHS, Dr. Nicholas Stefanic
First Time 
Andrew Chau and Thomas (vocalist), HHS, Dr. Nicholas Stefanic
The Seven Princes, Satan's March Op.1 No.3 
Camron Schroeder, NHS, Dr. Scott Bracken-Tripp
March
 Zachary Hupert, HHS, Dr. Nicholas Stefanic

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