By Austin, Next Notes intern

The title of “composer” immediately evokes images of men in powdered wigs writing a strictly formulated sonata for the harpsichord. While this scenario does demonstrate the role of some composers, it all too often pushes young adults from this activity that defies the myriad assumptions surrounding it. Composing music is not just for old-fashioned snobs. It’s not just for classical musicians. It’s not just for the rich and privileged. It’s not just for old people. Trust me; I’m a high school composer.

Composing is largely a solitary process, involving countless hours of being alone with a piano and a computer. An element of collaboration, however, has proven invaluable in bettering me as a composer. Hearing musicians and composers’ feedback on one of my compositions provides me with a fresh perspective, giving me insight into how I can improve. Unfortunately, in my community at high school, I have few chances to connect and network with other composers.

The American Composers Forum’s new NextNotes® High School Composition Awards provides high school students like me with opportunities to hone composing skills and meet up with other young composers. This program brings together young composers from across the country and promotes collaboration with experienced composer mentors and professional musicians in a workshop setting conducive to creativity. Six composer finalists will each receive $1,000 for furthering their composition studies. NextNotes® has no restrictions on the genre and instrumentation of the submissions.

No composing programs or contests that I’ve previously entered can parallel this degree of flexibility and freedom. With one composer’s electronic dance music submitted alongside another composer’s vocal piece and another’s chamber ensemble composition, NextNotes® manifests and celebrates artistic diversity and skill among a demographic usually overlooked when it comes to composing – high school students – and that’s pretty awesome.

To learn more, visit www.NextNotes.org.