Composition Competition
The RED NOTE New Music Festival Composition Competition is an annual competition open to all composers, regardless of age or nationality. The competition is judged by composition faculty and ensemble directors at the Illinois State University School of Music as well as by nationally and internationally recognized composers. The composer of the winning piece in each category receives a $1000 prize and a performance at the RED NOTE New Music Festival.
To enter, or to learn more about the competition, visit the link below for the complete Rules and Guidelines.
For details on past competitions, visit the Past Winners page.
Category A (Chamber Ensemble)
The judging for the RED NOTE New Music Festival Composition Competition Category A (Chamber Ensemble) has now concluded. There were 477 anonymous submissions from 45 states, territories, and provinces in the United States and Canada and from 36 other nations around the world. Initial rounds were judged by the Music Composition faculty at Illinois State University. The final round was judged by the esteemed composers:
- Lukas Ligeti (University of Pretoria)
- David Liptak (Eastman School of Music)
- Amy Williams (University of Pittsburgh)
The results of the competition (Category A) are as follows:
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WINNER:
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Lightbox
by Karlo Margetic (Wellington, New Zealand)
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Lightbox
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RUNNER-UP:
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A Line for a Walk
by Daniel Pesca (Rochester, NY)
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A Line for a Walk
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
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in drops of dew will I sink down and mingle with the dusk
by Nick Bentz (Providence, RI) -
Of a Feather
by Bobby Ge (Atlanta, GA)
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in drops of dew will I sink down and mingle with the dusk
Karlo Margetic will receive the $1000 prize, and his winning work will be performed on March 28, 2024 on the final concert of the RED NOTE New Music Festival in Normal, Illinois.
Category B (Wind Ensemble)
The judging for the RED NOTE New Music Festival Composition Competition Category B (Wind Ensemble) has now concluded. There were 110 submissions received from 29 states and from 11 other nations around the world. Initial rounds were judged by the Music Composition faculty at Illinois State University. The final round was judged by Illinois State University Director of Bands, Dr. Anthony Marinello.
The results of the competition (Category B) are as follows:
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WINNER:
Pathways
by Daniel Kim (Richmond, Texas) -
RUNNER-UP:
Vicious Circles
by Scott Lee (Gainesville, Florida)
Daniel Kim will receive the $1000 prize, and Dr. Marinello will conduct the Illinois State University Wind Symphony in a performance of the winning work on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Normal, Illinois.