2026 Contemporary Creators Festival Student Composers Application

The MMEA Contemporary Creators Festival is an academic enrichment program for high school music students in Massachusetts. The festival will include:

• clinic with a professional musician/educator
• student composers feedback session (roundtable discussion with composers, teachers, and students)
• lunch 
• spotlight concert
• concert hour

This form is for student composers that are interested in performing at this year's festival. If you are interested in bringing ensembles to this event, please complete the form linked below:

CCF: Ensemble Application

Student composers are expected to participate in the entire day of activities on Thursday, March 19 from 9:00AM-2:30PM at the DCU Center and Hilton Garden Inn in Worcester.  

Please note that only one composition is allowed per student, and there is a maximum of five compositions per school.

Students can submit pieces to one of three tracks; Composition, Electronic Composition, or Songwriting.

• Composition submissions should more closely align with notated art music (i.e., large or small ensembles or solo instrument).
• Electronic Compositions are those composed electronically or include mostly electronic instruments (i.e., electro house or chillwave).
• Songwriting submissions are pieces for voice and either acoustic of electronic instruments where the lyrical content is a major component (i.e., rock, R&B, or country).

Some pieces could fit multiple tracks, please choose the best fit for your piece. For example, jazz pieces may fit to composition or songwriting & hip hop pieces may fit either electronic or songwriting. The composition submission board may also re-track submission if needed.

Questions?

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Joe Pondaco, MMEA Composition Chair (jpondaco@duxbury.k12.ma.us). 

Students must adhere to the following criteria:
1. Students must be in grades 9-12 in a Massachusetts school.
2. Composers must be unpublished.
3. Students must be willing to attend the Contemporary Creators Festival on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
4. This application must be accompanied by the recommendation of the student’s music teacher who is also a NAfME member.
5. Students must provide a short bio.

Compositions must adhere to the following criteria:
1. Submissions must be in some sort of physical representation. Students should use notation programs where applicable.
Suggest forms are:
a. Composition = Notated Scores
b. Electronic Composition = Screenshot of program/workspace or arrangement sheet
c. Songwriting = Lyric or lead sheets
2. Submissions must be recorded and submitted as an Mp3. Midi renditions are accepted.
3. All pieces should be less than ten minutes in length.

In order to submit your composition for review, please complete the following information on this form, including uploading your notation and recordings. 

A principal or administrator must also approve your submission. There will be a field below for their email address, and a separate approval form will be sent to them for completion.