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FOA Student Composition Contest

Eligibility:

  1. Applicant must be a student currently enrolled in grade 6-12 and a member of their school orchestra program (or a member of an ensemble equivalent if there is no orchestra available) under the direction of an active member of the Florida Orchestra Association. (Eligibility requirements follow the same guidelines for participation in All-State as detailed in the FOA handbook)
  2. The composition must be at least two minutes in length and scored for standard instrumentation of one of the following categories: full orchestra, string orchestra, string quartet, or string trio.
  3. The composition must be an original work in all aspects. It may not be a transcription, arrangement, or contain quotations of music from other sources.
  4. The use of music notation software is highly encouraged, but legible, handwritten entries are accepted.


Application Materials:

  1. Complete this Online Submission Form
  2. Photo of the composer (student only, formal headshot)
  3. PDF files of the full score and complete set of parts
  4. MP3 file of a recording of the piece (live or computer-rendered are acceptable)

If accepted:

Judging is "blind" and all identifying information will be removed to eliminate bias. 
Students, parents, and sponsoring directors will be notified by email if their composition has been selected or declined.

Composers and compositions selected will be publicly recognized and featured during the FMEA conference in Tampa in January.

Please note: Compositions will be judged in two categories (middle (6-8) and high (9-12) school divisions), however, if no suitable compositions are submitted, no awards will be given.

Deadline:

Complete application materials must be submitted to this application by November 1.

Questions:

Email the FOA Awards Chair: Kayla Lisa

Winners

2025-2026

Middle School Division Winner:
Mariah Harris for “Roller Coaster” (String Orchestra)
8th grade- Barrington Middle School
Director, Delaney Conter

High School Division Winner:
Guyfrancis Charleston for “Slow Movement” (String Orchestra)
12th Grade- Melbourne High School
Director, Michelle Eggen

High School Division Honorable Mention:
Rishabh Mannazhath for “The Falcon's Legacy” (String Orchestra)
9th Grade- Alonso High School
Director, David Wagner

High School Division Honorable Mention:
Victoria Queeley for “Carousel Of Madness” (Full Orchestra)
12th Grade- Wiregrass Ranch High School
Director, Justin Ray Baggett

© 2026 Florida Orchestra Association