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MTNA National Competitions

MTNA National Student Competitions are the most successful and prestigious student competitions in the country. Each year, thousands of students compete for top prizes and national recognition. The purpose of the MTNA Performance competitions is to provide educational experiences for students and teachers and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence. The MTNA Competitions include Performance, Composition, Chamber Music, and the Stecher and Horowitz Two Piano Competition.

2022–2023 MTNA National Performance Competitions Information
  • Application deadline: Friday, September 13, 2024, 3:00 pm Eastern Time

  • Junior, Senior, and Young Artist Levels

  • The California (State Level) Performance Competition will be in-person.  

    Date: October 21-22, 2023 (Sat-Sun)

    Location: CSULB (California State University, Long Beach)

  • Winners will move on to the MTNA National Performance Competition (Division Level: Southwest United States), which will take place as video auditions to the Acceptd site, December 6, 2023, 3:00 pm Eastern Time.

  • Winners at the Southwest Division Level will move on to the MTNA National Competitions Performance Finals, which will take place at the 2024 MTNA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

  • The California  State fee is $60 (NON-REFUNDABLE).  *Additional fees may be levied by some MTNA state affiliates. Entrants will be contacted by the affiliate if a fee is required.*

  • California State Fee Submission Deadline: Tuesday, 9/6/2023 at 8:00 AM - Friday, 9/22/2023 @ 11:59 PM.

Pay CA State Fee
2023–2024 MTNA National Composition Competitions Information
  • Application deadline: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time.

  • Elementary, Junior, Senior and Young Artist levels

  • In addition to PDF scores, YOUTUBE links will be required.  See MTNA Guidelines: https://www.mtna.org/MTNA/engage/competitions/Composition_Guidelines.aspx

  • PDF scores must be computer generated using music notation software. Handwritten scores will NOT be accepted.

  • If questions, please contact Christopher Goldston, NCTM, MTNA Composition Coordinator at: goldston@hotmail.com

  • There is a CA State Fee of $40 for all levels. 

  • California State Fee Submission Deadline: Tuesday , September 22, 2023, 11:59 PM

Chamber Music (3–6 performers)

  • Applications for Chamber Music String and Chamber Music Wind will be available Wednesday November 1, 2023. See mtna.org website.
  • Deadline for Chamber Music application and video submissions  is Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 3:00 p.m.Eastern Time. There will be no exceptions.
  • Age: Ensemble members must be 18–29 as of January 1, 2024
  • Competitions: String and Wind
  • Entry Fee: $120 for each ensemble
    • Video Submission Fee: $25 paid directly to Acceptd

The National Finals of the competitions are March 16-20, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.