The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Electronic Music Composition Competition recognizes outstanding compositions and highlights the effectiveness of music technology in the school curriculum. Entries are judged based on their aesthetic quality, use of electronic media, and the power of the composition. Special thanks to presenting sponsor WURRLY for providing free one-month subscriptions to entrants to use the software to create.

NAfME member adjudicators selected winners from three categories: grades K-8; grades 9-12; and collegiate. Each entrant must be sponsored by a NAfME member or be a NAfME Collegiate member in good standing. Submitted compositions needed to be 5 minutes or less and either be composed electronically or include electronic instruments (vocal and/or acoustic instruments could be combined with electronic instruments).

These selected composers receive a one-year subscription to WURRLY’s software:

K-8: “Rift” by Harrison TC Le
Carrollwood Day School, Tampa, Florida
Teacher: Amy Callahan

K-8 Honorable Mention: “Serendipity” by Natalee Larsen
Elk Plain School of Choice, Spanaway, Washington
Teacher: Monica Hemenway

9-12: “Give It a Week” by Elijah Croyle
Glacier Peak High School, Snohomish, Washington
Teacher: Tadd Morris

9-12 Honorable Mention: “If Only” by Elijah Culp
Irondequoit High School, Rochester, New York
Teacher: Casey Springstead

Collegiate: “As the World Turns” by Tim Kwasny
Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts

Collegiate Honorable Mention: “Ding Dream” by Jonathan Danner
Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina

Listen to all the winning and honorable mention student compositions here.

National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members teaching millions of students nationwide, the organization is the national voice for music education in the United States.

Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme).
For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah(at)nafme.org or 703-860-4000, ext. 216.