- 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!
2025-2026 Nominated Exemplary Compositions
| STUDENT NAME | COMPOSITION TITLE | CATEGORY | SCHOOL | EDUCATOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adharsh Aavan | Through Ash to Gold | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Original Composition Instrumental Ensemble | Brookfield Academy | Ed Martin |
| Ali Abidi | Celestial Expanse | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Original Composition Concert Band/Orchestra | Onalaska High School | Linda Lebakken |
| Ben Jaeckel | When You Leave... | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Original Composition Concert Band/Orchestra | River Falls High School | Bryan Jaeckel |
| Ben Jaeckel | For Our Future | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Original Composition Concert Band/Orchestra | River Falls High School | Bryan Jaeckel |
| Colin Mortimore | Clementine | High School (Grades 9-12) Studio Audio Art Digital Music Production | Verona Area High School | Elliot Rittenberry |
| Derek Hayes | Reign of the King | High School (Grades 9-12) Studio Audio Art Digital Music Production | Verona Area High School | Elliot Rittenberry |
| Ethan Pawlak | Writing on the Wall | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Arrangement String Orchestra and Piano | Nathan Hale High School | Catherine Kolb |
Henry Dennis | A Sketch for Saxophone Septet | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Original Composition Instrumental Ensemble | Mount Horeb High School | Kellen Dorner |
| Mason Minter | Passi Al Sole | Middle School (Grades 7-8) Notated Original Composition Concert Band/Orchestra | Waunakee Community Middle School | Jessica Spicer |
| Sufi Punjabi | Odyssey Suite | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Original Composition Concert Band/Orchestra | Madison East High School | Rob Cunningham |
| Xavier Smith | These Are The Days | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Arrangement Vocal | Oak Creek High School | Gillian Pacetti |
Congratulations to the
2025-2026 Exemplary Composition Award Recipients!
| Student Name | Composition Title | Category | School | Educator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Jaeckel | For Our Future | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Original Composition Concert Band/Orchestra | River Falls High School | Bryan Jaeckel |
| Derek Hayes | Reign of the King | High School (Grades 9-12) Studio Audio Art Digital Music Production | Verona Area High School | Elliot Rittenberry |
| Sufi Punjabi | Odyssey Suite | High School (Grades 9-12) Notated Original Composition Concert Band/Orchestra | Madison East High School | Rob Cunningham |
| Mason Minter | Passi Al Sole | Middle School (Grades 7-8) Notated Original Composition Concert Band/Orchestra | Waunakee Community Middle School | Jessica Spicer |
