WHAT IS COMPOSERS TODAY?
The MTAC annually sponsors a multi-faceted program called Composers Today.

PURPOSE:
To foster creativity among students and teachers by encouraging composition and improvisation.

OBJECTIVES:
To provide education in the skills of composing and improvising by offering professional feedback, creative ideas and written materials consisting of:

* Composers Today Syllabus
* Improvisation Syllabus and Guide
* Games and Activities for Improvisation
* 6 levels of student workbooks

To provide incentives for students of composition and improvisation by sponsoring statewide projects and events, each with a specific goal and deadline.
To provide recognition for young musicians through the presentation of certificates, awards, prizes and performance opportunities for their compositions and improvisations.
To offer opportunities and help in developing total musicianship skills in all MTAC students.

PROJECTS:
There are four annual projects in Composers Today. Each has a separate performance event.

EVALUATIONS:
A non-competitive learning experience where students receive a written response, in the form of constructive comments and ratings, from two professional evaluators.

SYMPOSIUM:
Compositions from the Evaluations are selected for performance in one of several State Convention Symposium recitals based upon the two evaluators' ratings and performance by the composer on a submitted tape recording.

STATE CONTEST:
This competition offers a 1st and 2nd cash prize for each of 8 divisions based on age as of March 30. Two professional adjudicators who provide constructive written comments judge compositions.

STATE CONTEST RECITAL:
Winners perform their pieces (or have someone perform them) at the State Convention and receive a certificate and cash prize. Honorable mention recipients may play at convention and receive a certificate of performance.

YOUNG COMPOSERS’ GUILD:
The Guild provides a special format for the serious young composers who plan to pursue music composition as a career. Students who have had their work performed at MTAC State Convention at least once during their high school years may apply for membership in the YCG. Students may be selected to perform at convention and by invitation for various branches throughout the state.

SENIOR MEDALLION:
Senior Medallions are awarded to graduating high school seniors who have entered 3 different compositions in grades 9-12 including their senior year and performed in at least one State Convention Composers Today recital.


Composers Today Information and Forms can be found on the MTAC State Website. Click on Composers Today and it will lead you through the information for all programs for the upcoming year. All the forms will be there to print out.

Here is the link to the state website for Composers Today pdf forms:
http://www.mtac.org/programs/ctforms/index.shtml


Kathy Shoemaker,
Composers Today Branch Chair
(619) 596-7983
promusikat@yahoo.com