Composition Application

Click here to view Composition Competition Eligibility and Requirements

Eligibility

  • Open to all woman-identifying musicians aged 16-30 (age as of date of application deadline, February 15, 2022. 

  • Must be able to provide proof of age (as of the application deadline)

  • Must be able to prove residency or school attendance (by providing home or school address with proof of registration) in one of the following states: IL, IN, MI, WI, MN, IA (as of date of application deadline, 2/15/22)

  • Must not have previously won an MCW award in their intended division of competition

  • All awards are subject to US taxation; winners who are US citizens or resident aliens will be asked to complete a W-9. Non-resident aliens are still eligible to compete, but the award amount will be reduced to meet the tax requirement.

Application Deadline

  • -the deadline for submission of all materials is 11:59 pm Central Time on February 15, 2022. 

  • -applications received on February 16th onwards will not be accepted, no exceptions. 

  • Award announcement mid-March, 2022.

Application

Eligible candidates will be asked to submit the following to participate in the competition:

  • General application

  • 2 pdf scores of piece: one with name, and one without name

  • A recording of piece (either audio, video, or midi if necessary)

  • Headshot*

  • 250 word bio*

  • Optional: demonstration of financial need

  • Application fee: The suggested application fee is $75, with a minimum of $25. This money helps defray the cost of marketing and hosting the competition, as well as carrying out MCW’s larger mission to support women in music. MCW is a non-profit organization run by a board of volunteers, and your support ensures the longevity of their efforts.

*to be used for announcement of winners


Grounds for Disqualification

  • Unable to prove residency status

  • Unable to provide proof of age

  • Submitted composition is found to have: 

    • won another award from another organization

    • been commissioned 

    • evidence of plagiarism as identified by judges in the course of adjudication


Adjudication process and disclaimer 

  • All compositions will be reviewed by 3 judges; no more than 1 current member of MCW may serve on the panel; no judges may serve who have students competing

  • Adjudication process is blind; judges will not see names of composers until winners are announced

  • Judges reserve the right to withhold an award if no deserving candidate is identified 

  • Judges’ decision is final

  • Feedback from judges will be available by request only, after the results are announced

  • Results announced no later than mid-March 2022; winners will be notified via email


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