Association of Concert Bands 50th Anniversary Composition Contest

The submission period will run August 1, 2026 to June 15, 2027. 

 

To celebrate the Association of Concert Bands (ACB) upcoming 50th Anniversary in 2028, this Composition Contest is to honor the rich tradition of
community bands by encouraging the creation of a new musical work that reflects the spirit, history, and future of the ACB— offering a lasting tribute to its 50-year legacy.

 

Eligibility: 

  • Open to all composers. Composers of all ages and levels of experience may apply.
    Ineligible: Current members of the ACB Board and their family members.

Guidelines

  • Submissions must be an original composition for concert band at a grade level of roughly grade 4.<
  • There is no minimum or maximum length, nor is there a limit on the number of movements. 
  • Submissions must not have been previously published. 
  • Submissions must have been written within the past 18 months. 
  • Submissions must not have been previously performed in a public venue. 
  • Only one submission per composer will be accepted.

  • Suggested Instrumentation:

    • C Piccolo; 1st & 2nd Flute; Oboe; Bassoon;1st, 2nd, & 3rd Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; 1st & 2nd Alto Saxophone; Tenor Saxophone; Baritone Saxophone; 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Trumpet; 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Horn; 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Trombone; Euphonium (BC/TC); Tuba; Mallet Percussion; Timpani & Percussion (expanded) Optional: Eb Clarinet, 2nd Oboe, 2nd Bassoon, Contrabass Clarinet, Piano, String Bass
    • Special Considerations: Extensive cross-cueing (always on solos for Horn, Bassoon, Oboe, Bass Clarinet); composers are encouraged to use expanded percussion, particularly mallet and accessory instruments. Plan for maximum of five percussionists. 

Submission Period is between August 1, 2026 and June 15, 2027

  • There is an application fee of $25. The application fee must be received for consideration. Special note: The application fee will be waived for ACB members.

  • Below will be a link to a form where you will be asked to  provide the following information and upload files starting August 1, 2026.
    • Composer Contact Information (name, mailing address, email address, phone); school affiliation (if current student); birth date
    • PDF of the score labeled with the Title. Other identifying information must be removed.
    • An .mp3 recording from the composing software.
    • Program notes (separate from the score as a PDF file or Word Document, all identifying information must be removed)
  • Naming conventions for files: TITLE_score.pdf TITLE_recording.mp3  TITLE_prognote.pdf (or .doc)
    • For lengthy titles, truncate to the first 10 characters.
  • Application fee of $25 payable by credit card payable via the form.  Or choose "Invoice me" during check out and mail a check made out to the Association of Concert Bands  with copy of invoice to:   Association of Concert Bands, PO Box 6601, Newport News, VA 23606. Application fee must be received for consideration.  Again, this fee is waived for ACB Members.

Winning

  • Submissions will be evaluated through a double blind process by a panel of judges selected from the ACB membership and/or the ACB Advisory Council.
  •  The winning submission will be announced by November 1, 2027.
  •  The winning composer will need to provide a complete set of parts in PDF format by December 1, 2027. That set of parts and all future copies of the score and parts will need to have inscribed “Winner of the Association of Concert Bands 50th Anniversary Composition Contest.” 
  • The piece will be premiered in 2028 by the ACB Convention Band at the ACB 50th Anniversary Convention in Buffalo, NY.
  • Depending on the length of the work, the ACB may decide to use an abbreviated version of the winning composition at this performance.
  • To emphasize and highlight ACB’s 50th Anniversary, the winning composer will receive a distinctive and unique award of $5050.50 and reimbursement up to $1000 for travel expenses to attend the premiere at the 2028 ACB Convention.
  • The award entitles the ACB to have performance rights at all future ACB conventions. 
  •  The composer will receive a certificate suitable for framing.
  •  The composer will receive a CD recording of the premiere performance.

  •  All rights to the work, including copyright and publisher negotiations, remain with the composer, except for the above stated performance rights at ACB conventions.

Dates:
  • Submit by: June 15, 2027
  • Notifications by: November 1, 2027
  • Complete set of parts of the winning composition needs to be provided no later than December 1, 2027

Any questions can be sent to [email protected]