- The Student Composition Project is a feedback only program, with exemplary compositions nominated and selected by the evaluators after the Spring deadline.
- Compositions are nominated based on three divisions: High School, Middle School and Intermediate School (Grades 4-6).
- Step 1. Nomination – After the Spring deadline, evaluators have an opportunity to nominate students whose composition was truly exceptional.
- Beyond what is typically expected for this division
- Notated scores demonstrate consistent formatting and correctly placed expression and articulation markings – a performer-ready score or parts
- Studio audio art submissions should demonstrate a high level of refinement, logical musical direction (development of themes, tension and release) and creative use of sampled sounds
- Step 2. Final Selection – After nominations have been determined, evaluators select the Exemplary Composition Award recipients. The total number of available awards is determined on a percentage of the total number of submitted compositions.
- Step 1. Nomination – After the Spring deadline, evaluators have an opportunity to nominate students whose composition was truly exceptional.
Congratulations to all of the composers for their submitted works!
2024-2025 Nominated Exemplary Compositions
| STUDENT NAME | COMPOSITION TITLE | CATEGORY | SCHOOL | EDUCATOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Hayes | Above the Horizon | High School (Grades 9-12) Studio Audio Art Digital Music Production | Verona Area High School | Elliott Rittenberry |
| Ezra Saalmann | Concerto in Two Movements | Intermediate (Grades 4-6) Notated Composition Piano Solo | EAGLE School | Mark Wurzelbacher |
| Henry Soyka | Gameday Fanfare | Middle School (Grades 7-8) Notated Composition Orchestra | Wisconsin Hills Middle School | Sarah Marman |
| Samuel Fletcher | Heads Out the Window | High School (Grades 9-12) Studio Audio Art Digital Music Production | Verona Area High School | Elliott Rittenberry |
| Cameron Kotlyarsky | Mazeophobia | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Composition Saxophone Quartet | Homestead High School | Charles O'Brien |
| Carlos Hoffman | Moon | High School (Grades 9-12) Studio Audio Art Digital Music Production | Verona Area High School | Elliott Rittenberry |
| Ben Jaeckel | Question Mark Suite | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Composition Wind Ensemble | River Falls High School | Bryan Jaeckel |
| Caleb Johnson | Rêverie | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Composition Piano Solo | Sevastopol High School | Tanya Hasenjager |
| Croix Skolaski | River | High School (Grades 9-12) Studio Audio Art Digital Music Production | Verona Area High School | Elliott Rittenberry |
| Alexander Tierney | Suite for Band in C: Wisconsin Winter | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Composition Concert Band | Verona Area High School | Elliott Rittenberry |
| Colin Mortimore | The Place You Called Home | High School (Grades 9-12) Studio Audio Art Digital Music Production | Verona Area High School | Elliott Rittenberry |
| Vaughn Kunz | What I Remember | High School (Grades 9-12) Studio Audio Art Digital Music Production | Verona Area High School | Elliott Rittenberry |
Congratulations to the
2024-2025 Exemplary Composition Award Recipients!
| Student Name | Composition Title | Category | School | Educator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Hayes | Above the Horizon | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Composition Concert Band | Verona Area High School | Elliott Rittenberry |
| Ben Jaeckel | Question Mark Suite | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Composition Wind Ensemble | River Falls High School | Bryan Jaeckel |
| Henry Soyka | Gameday Fanfare | Middle School (Grades 7-8) Notated Composition Orchestra | Wisconsin Hills Middle School | Sarah Marman |
| Ezra Saalmann | Concerto in Two Movements | Intermediate (Grades 4-6) Notated Composition Piano Solo | EAGLE School | Mark Wurzelbacher |
