In Celebration of our 100th Anniversaries!
Sharing the Joy!
Reading Musical Foundation and
Reading Music Teachers Association

~ present the ~
2026 STUDENT’S ORIGINAL MUSIC COMPOSITION CONTEST
CLICK HERE to download this information and postal mail your entry.
CLICK HERE for online registration.

Mission and Purpose

To provide students an opportunity to develop creativity, self-expression and better musicianship through the art of composition.

Class of Entry | Age | Entry Fee
(A small number of need-sensitive scholarships for registration fees are available.  Please contact Reading Musical Foundation if needed.)

  • Class I – Elementary  |  Ages 5-10 on January 1, 2026  |  $15
  • Class II – Junior  | Ages 11-14 on January 1, 2026  |   $20
  • Class III – Senior  |  Ages 15-18 on January 1, 2026  |  $25

General Requirement

  • Students must meet one of the following requirements:
    • Reside in Berks County
    • Attend school in Berks County (public, private, home, cyber)
    • Study with an RMTA member
    • Study with a music teacher who resides or teaches in Berks County

Competition Rules

  • Teacher listed on entry form must agree to student participation in the competition.
  • Decisions of competition judges are final.
  • A composition may be in any style.
  • The performance time must not exceed 15 minutes.
  • If a composer uses text: 1) copyrighted text must have a written statement form the copyright holder giving permission to use the text; or 2) the text is in the public domain and must have a statement signed by the student and the teacher indicating this fact; or 3) it may be written by the student.
  • Ensemble works are limited to a maximum of nine (9) performers.
  • Compositions for prepared piano will not be accepted.
  • Primary communication is via e-mail. The entry form must have an e-mail address for entrant, teacher or parents.

Submission Requirements

  • Students may submit only one composition per event.
  • Students may submit only pieces that have not been previously submitted for any contest or previously published, recorded or performed for commercial purposes.
  • The manuscript may be in the composer’s handwriting or computer generated (encouraged!). Illegible copies will not be accepted.

Score Requirements

  • For all classes, the composition may be in any recognized tonal or atonal style for any instrument or style.
  • PDF score should be printable on 8.5 x 11-inch letter-sized paper.
  • Title, student name and class should appear on each page of the composition.
  • Length requirements: Classes I and II/minimum of 16 measures; Class III/minimum of 32 measures.
  • The teacher’s name must not appear on the manuscript.
  • Manuscripts of more than one page should be numbered.
  • Measures of the composition must be numbered at the beginning of each system.
  • No change may be made to the manuscript once it has been submitted.
  • No recorded entries will be accepted.
  • Cover art should not be included.

Submitting Your Entry

  • The composition may be submitted…
    • ONLINE as a pdf file, uploaded with the Online Entry Form
      • Label the pdf file – “Class_StudentLastName_FirstName.pdf”. For example, “ClassII_Smith_Sam.pdf”
    • POSTAL MAILED as a printed copy, along with an Entry Form to RMF/RMTA Composition Contest, PO Box 14835, Reading PA 19612.
    • HAND DELIVERED as a printed copy, along with an Entry Form to RMF offices located in the Goggleworks, 201 Washington St., Suite 503, Reading PA 19601.
  • Entry Fee:  Cash or checks payable to RMTA are accepted. There is no online payment system.
      • Payment can be:
        • Postal mailed to the address above with your printed composition and Entry Form.
        • Hand delivered to the RMF offices with your printed composition and Entry Form.
      • Entry fees are non-refundable.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT, JANUARY 10, 2026.

  • Any entry that does not meet the submission requirements will be disqualified.
  • Late entries will not be accepted. Payment must be received by deadline for composition to be entered. Be aware of delays in the postal system.
  • Only the Official Contest Entry Form will be accepted and may be downloaded online at readingmusicteachers.org.

Judging Procedures

  • Compositions are blind judged on originality, form and style, correct, well-edited notation including marks of expression, tempo, phrasing and dynamics.
  • Judges’ comments will be returned along with the compositions.

Awards Made Possible by Reading Musical Foundation

  • Classes I and II:
    • First Place – $150
    • Second Place – $100
    • Third Place – $50
    • Honorable Mention
  • Class III:
    • First Place – $200
    • Second Place – $150
    • Third Place – $100
    • Honorable Mention
  • Additional prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the judges in collaboration with the committee.
  • Awards may be suspended if in the final opinions of the judges, none of the entries submitted warrants commendation.

Performance Requirements

  • Winners will be notified mid-February 2026.
  • Winning compositions will be performed live at a recital/awards ceremony on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at the WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St., Reading PA 19601.
  • It is strongly recommended that winning compositions be performed by someone other than the composer.
  • Compositions must be performed on the instruments for which it was written.
  • No recorded performances are allowed.
  • It is the composer’s responsibility to provide the appropriate instrumentation for the performance of his/her winning composition.
  • RMTA will assist but is not responsible for providing performers, performance equipment or instruments other than a piano.

Competition Agreement

  • Entrant, parents/guardians and teacher have read, understand and agree to these Guidelines. Failure to abide by these rules and regulations will make the entrant ineligible to receive recognition or awards.
  • Entrants must have parent or guardian permission to enter this contest.

Questions?  Contact…