This year, the prize will go to a work created for a middle school (grades 3-4) wind band, to encourage and support young composers in crafting works for younger students by providing a national venue for performance and recognition. In addition to a $2,000 award, the winning composition will be debuted at the 78th Midwest Clinic in December 2024.
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Contest Details
This year's contest saw 100+ entries of new compositions for high school wind bands, our highest ever! Thank you to our adjudicators for their incredible work in selecting this year's winner: Brian Covey, Amanda Drinkwater, and Viet Cuong.
Matthew Nell is a pianist and percussionist composer studying at the University of Texas at Austin. In his music, he is most concerned with accessibility, enjoyment, interest, and beauty. Matthew blends conventional and modern techniques in order to write music that strikes a balance between familiarity and novelty, focusing especially on band music and chamber music for winds. His composition teachers include Donald Grantham, Yevgeniy Sharlat, Russel Podgorsek, and Omar Thomas.
Matthew's piece, Strut, will premiere at the 77th Midwest Clinic, and will be performed by Westwood High School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Thomas Turpin.
2023 Honorable Mentions:
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