2023 JUNIOR COMPOSER'S CONTEST:  Through this contest, sponsored by the Florida Federation of Music Clubs, Inc., junior composers through the age of 18 have the opportunity to express their musical creativity by writing their own compositions. Any medium is accepted (keyboard, voice, other instruments or any combination thereof). Membership in FFMC/NFMC required. Check with your teacher for name of your Junior Club.

Judges take into account both content and musicianship when judging. They give equal consideration to handwritten manuscripts and computer-generated manuscripts. The abilities of the entrants for the age bracket in which they are entered are taken into account. Students will receive valuable feedback from judges.  TIES ARE NOT PERMITTED.

To earn points toward the NFMC Federation cup, students have the option to pay a nominal fee to enter the federation cup plan to earn points toward the NFMC Federation Cup. To earn points, the $6.00 cup fee MUST BE INCLUDED with the entry fee and paid at the time of application via the NFMC online portal.

Juniors may enter only one composition in the FFMC State Junior Composer's Contest. Mail a printed copy of SIGNED application form (JR 7-2) with the music score to chair, address listed above.

Payment:  DO NOT INCLUDE A CHECK.  Entry fees are to be paid online to NFMC: nfmc-music.org/payment   Include printout of the confirmation of payment to chair in mailed packet.
 
If you are a first or second place winner at the state level, your composition will be forwarded to the Southeast Regional Chair for the next level of competition by March 1, 2023 on your behalf.  The 2023 regional winners are then forwarded by April 1 to the National Federation of Music Clubs for final adjudication.

First and second place FFMC composition contest winners will each receive a ribbon.  

NOTE: National first place winners in any class may not win in that class again. 

Refer to Junior Procedures Manual:   download

Age classification - As of March 1, 2023:

	Junior 4	ages 16-18 (as of Mar 1, 2023)
	Junior 3	ages 13-15
	Junior 2	ages 10-12
	Junior 1	ages 9 and under

FFMC Awards for Winners - (MUST MEET STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE):

	Junior 4	First Place	$500.00 and a ribbon
	(age 16-18)	Second Place	$350.00 and a ribbon
		Honorable Mention	Ribbon
	Junior 3	First Place	$400.00 and a ribbon
	(age 13-15)	Second Place	$250.00 and a ribbon
		Honorable Mention	Ribbon
	Junior 2	First Place	$200.00 and a ribbon
	(age 10-12)	Second Place	$150.00 and a ribbon
		Honorable Mention	Ribbon
	Junior 1	First Place	$100.00 and a ribbon
	(age 9 and under)	Second Place	$50.00 and a ribbon
		Honorable Mention	Ribbon

Entrants may choose to enter the optional NFMC Federation Cup Program click here.  Indicate $6 on application form (JR 7-2) for total of $36.00

For a nominal fee, student can earn points toward a Federation Cup in Composition. The $6.00 optional cup fee must be paid with the entry fee at the time of the application.  As with cup events entered at your district festival, points build each year based on the rating. (No cup fee: no points.) The first cup is awarded at 15 points. As points accumulate, the student continues to earn larger cups: 30 points, 45 points. 60 points.  A Superior for a Composition written for two or more instruments will earn 8 points for those who participate in the cup plan.  A young student who enters and does well every year can possibly earn a Grand Cup (75 points) by Grade 12.  For example:  7 points per year over 11 years = 77 points.  Contact your festival area cup chair, as listed on the District page.

Average Score	Rating	Points
90-100	Superior (two or more instruments)	8
90-100	Superior (single instrument)	7
80-89	Excellent	6
70-79	Satisfactory	5

JUNIOR COMPOSITION FEE BREAKDOWN:

(Student must include cup fee, in order to earn points.)

1. $5 NFMC + $25 FFMC; cup fee $6 is optional.  (Include at the time of application.) Deadline: December 15, 2022.
   
   For example entry fees are to be paid via NFMC payment portal: 
   
   $5.00 NFMC entry fee + $25.00 FFMC entry fee + $6.00 cup fee = $36.00 TOTAL


2. If student is a transfer, please include Form JR 3-1 to show previous point record.


3. Cup, if any, will be shipped with the bulk order to the local cup chair for pick-up by teacher.

ELIGIBILITY: Entrant must be either a member of an active FFMC Junior Club or an Individual Junior Member and may enter only one composition in their state Junior Composers Contest. Submit dues payment Form ME 1-1 Age is determined as of March 1, 2023.  Adult entrants 19 and over are NOT eligible. (The teacher need not be a member of NFMC.)

For additional information about the NFMC contest, please visit NFMC webpage: NFMC Junior Composers Award.

A valid Social Security number is now required of all entrants. This is an IRS requirement for any winning entry.

Note: State and National first place winners in any class may not win in that class again.

PROCESS FOR ONLINE SUBMISSION - National Federation of Music Clubs:

To enter the 2023 NFMC contest online - "Florida":   review RULES JR 7-1

1) application - signed, in PDF format (click link);
2) composition score in PDF format;
3) audio-recording in MP3 format; and
4) payment of $30 fee with optional $6 for federation cup fee (build point toward trophy). 

Online Submission:  NFMC Upload Portal  (Select "Composition and Awards Entrant").

Payment:   https://www.nfmc-music.org/payment/

Also mail a copy of music score (scores should measure 8.5 x 11 inches) and your signed application with proof of payment to FFMC State
Composition Chair with 9" x 12" self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of materials by December 15:

Chair - LISA MOORE,  3384 Fountainhead AVE, The Villages, FL  32163-6323
 
TROPHY:  For those interested in earning cup points, remember to include the federation cup fee with online payment.

Please observe rules below for the 2023 Junior Composer's Contest:

* Note: To earn points toward the NFMC Federation Cup, cup fee must be paid and included at the time of application.
Cup will be shipped to local distribution center. Contact your local federation cup chair for details. (Locate on district map for list.)

$6.00 composition for single instrument (or voice)

$6.00 composition for more than one instrument

See the NFMC Junior Composers Award page for further information.

National Federation of Music Club Forms - see nfmc-music.org:

• Contest Rules: Form JR 7-1
• Application: Form JR 7-2
• Federation Cup Report: Form JR 4-1

To enter the 2023 composition contest, contact Chair: Lisa Moore  composition@ffmc-music.org

FFMC State deadline for 2023 Composition Contest is December 15, 2022.   (FFMC Junior Membership required.)

To obtain a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader, visit the Adobe web site to download. Clicking on the following logo:

(Updated: Tuesday, June 14, 2022)