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Music Composition
The contestant writes and submits an original song. The composition must include a melody line and a simple accompaniment plus words. (The student may add harmony parts, if they so choose. A more complex piece will receive a higher score in the “Harmony” section on the Judge’s Form.) Music Composition is an individual event, not a collaboration between two or more students. Compositions will be judged according to the generally accepted principles of traditional musical composition, and manuscripts (whether written by hand or produced with the assistance of a computer) will be judged according to the norms of standard musical notation. Students should be aware that compositions simply played on a keyboard and produced without musical review often violate many principles of musical notation. Students are permitted to submit compositions that have been typeset on a computer program (e.g., Finale, Musescore). However, no points will be deducted for handwritten manuscripts.
Must be submitted two weeks before Convention. Any compositions submitted after this time will not be judged. It might be best to mail it 3 weeks before Convention.
The words must be Christian. They must follow the rules of poetry, including theme, poetic language, rhythm, and rhyme (as applicable). The words and music should enhance one another.
Scripture may be used.
The music must be accurately written by the student in acceptable standard music notation.
Two (2) copies of a CD of the music composition entry are required. (The quality of the recorded performance will not influence the judge’s evaluation of the composition).
The selection WILL NOT be performed live by the participant.
The music composition must have been written after the end of the previous Student Convention and must be the original work of the participant. Works that are plagiarized, either in music or text, will not be judged.
MUSIC COMPOSITION JUDGING CRITERIA (Download PDF)
| Areas of Evaluation | Possible Points |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | |
| A. Originality – fresh approach; not trite, no clichés (overused phrases) | (1-5) |
| B. Message – clearly defined and enlarged upon | (1-5) |
| C. Theme – Christian values expressed | (1-5) |
| D. Form – poetically correct in rhyme and rhythm | (1-5) |
| E. Compatibility – lyrics suit the music composed | (1-5) |
| Music | |
| A. Originality – clear attempt to produce a unique composition without borrowing from other works | (1-5) |
| B. Unity – continuous flow | (1-5) |
| C. Mood – emotional influence created | (1-5) |
| D. Melody – original and creative | (1-5) |
| E. Harmony – variety and enhancing to melody | (1-5) |
| F. Rhythm – supportive but not detracting from the melody / harmony | (1-5) |
| G. Accompaniment / chord progressions – original yet pleasing and melodic | (1-5) |
| H. Dissonance – use and resolution | (1-5) |
| I. Dynamics – effective use (variation in volume and pace) | (1-5) |
| J. Cleanliness of sound – polished composition | (1-5) |
| Accuracy | |
| A. Correct use of the musical notation system | (1-5) |
| B. Readability | (1-5) |
| Selection | |
| A. Degree of difficulty | (1-5) |
| B. Ministers – does it minister to the listener as performed? | (1-5) |
| Proper documentation submitted | (1-5) |
| TOTAL POINTS | (100) |
Checklist for Music Composition:
Two copies of the music composition and CD must be submitted with entry. Each copy should be clearly marked with the student’s name and school name, address, phone number and contact sponsor attached to the front of each copy. Do not submit your original copy.
Include two copies of the Affidavit, properly signed. Attach one copy to each copy of the music composition.
Three copies of the Judge’s Forms are required.
One entry per student.