The Ohio Young Composers Initiative was created to encourage, foster, and promote musical creativity across Ohio’s young music students. The founding board members are all professional composers appointed to high level collegiate music programs in the state:
Dr. Jennifer Merkowitz, chair (Otterbein University), Dr. Marc Ainger (Ohio State University), Dr. Carolyn Borcherding (Baldwin Wallace University), Dr. Aurie Hsu (Oberlin Conservatory), Dr. Matthew Kennedy (Heidelberg University), Dr. Robert McClure (Ohio University), and Dr. Marilyn Shrude (Bowling Green State University).
The board members will serve as judges for the 2025 Composition Competition and will mentor the winning composers through virtual lessons in preparation for the performance of their selected composition at the 2025 OMEA Professional Development Conference in Cleveland, OH, February 6-8, 2025. The session is scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 9:30-10:30am.
This year’s performing ensemble is a string duo from Bowling Green State University:
Violinist Benjamin Hoffman has been heard across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Wiener Konzertverein, the Berliner Philharmonie, the Seoul Arts Center, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts Beijing. A dynamic concertmaster and chamber musician, Benjamin is a founding member of the Brightfeather Duo (brightfeatherduo.com) and of the Webern Quartet (webernquartet.com). In 2024 he was appointed to the violin faculty at Bowling Green State University.
An active proponent of contemporary music, cellist Anthony Marchese strives to work with living composers. Currently in the final year of his DMA at BGSU, Anthony performs with his ensemble Spectra Trio, in numerous symphonies, and teaches cellists of all ages. Anthony also works as a session cellist and is featured on albums by Joanna Sterling, the Juliets, and Three Body Problem, an award-winning film soundtrack and recently performed with New Zeeland singer songwriter, Maggie Coco.
Eligibility
The Competition is only open to students who meet the following criteria:
(1) Ohio Resident
(2) Sponsored by an OMEA member
(3) Currently enrolled in grade 7-12
(4) Not a previous winner of OMEAYCI
Composition Guidelines
1. The submitted composition must be written for violin and cello duo.
2. Compositions of any style or aesthetic direction will be accepted.
3. The submitted composition’s duration should be between 3-10 minutes.
4. Each student may only submit ONE composition to the competition.
Submission Materials
1. REQUIRED INFO:
OMEA Sponsoring Member and Contact Info
Student Name
Student Grade
Student Email
Primary Music Teacher/Instructor
Title of Piece
Instrumentation
Duration
2. REQUIRED SCORE: Submitted Composition in PDF format. It is suggested that students use a notation program (Finale, Sibelius, MuseScore, etc) to engrave their work. However, scans of legible handwritten scores in pdf format will still be accepted.
3. REQUIRED AUDIO: Recording in .mp3 format. MIDI realizations will be accepted (however, please send MIDI realizations in .mp3 format as well).
4. Students will apply through their OMEA Sponsor. OMEA Sponsors can click on the Submission Form button below to log into the OMEA Member portal and upload the student’s materials.
The board members will select the winning composition(s). Each composer will have two lessons with selected board member composers on their work as they prepare the piece for performance by the featured duo at the OMEA Conference.
DEADLINE for SUBMISSION: October 31, 2024. Any questions can be directed to Dr. Jennifer Merkowitz (jmerkowitz@otterbein.edu).