Young Composers Competition

2025 Winner

The winner of the 2025 FBA Young Composer Competition is Uncommon Will by Carlos Lalonde.

From the Composer: "Uncommon Will was composed on the occasion of receiving the 2024 Jere Hutcheson Large Ensemble Composition Award at Michigan State University. The title draws inspiration from the institution where I had the privilege of completing my master’s degree in composition.

Uncommon Will embodies a mentality—an unyielding spirit of determination that persists even in the darkest of circumstances. It reminds us that resilience is not the absence of struggle, but the decision to rise through it. The piece begins with a brief rhythmic idea that continuously morphs and evolves, growing stronger and more self-assured with each transformation. Along the way, it encounters resistance and uncertainty, yet pushes forward, ultimately transcending its own limitations. By the end, the idea achieves full realization—a celebration of perseverance, triumph, and the beauty of becoming."

To learn more about Carlos and his music, please visit CarlosLalonde.com.

Uncommon Will Perusal Score

Uncommon Will Demo Recording

We hope to have either the 2026 Nine Star Honor Band or one of the 2027 All-State ensembles perform his piece. 

Competition Entry

The Florida Bandmasters Association is seeking original works for the traditional concert band by emerging young composers. This competition aims to foster musical creativity by providing aspiring young composers with a platform for sharing their original works. It is designed to encourage composers to write music for concert band, specifically for the younger bands.

This competition is open to all composers age 30 or younger.  High School students should consider entering the FBA Student Composition Contest.

Eligibility

• This contest is open to any composer age 30 or younger as of July 1, 2025
• Participation and entry are free

Requirements 

• Submit an original composition written for the Concert Band
• Level of difficulty - Grade I, II, or III - suitable for a young band
• Length of work should be no more than 6 minutes in duration 

Entry Materials

• Full score in PDF format
  • Do not list your name on the score or audio file
• Include: Title and Duration of the composition
• Digital audio recording of the composition (MIDI renderings are acceptable)
• Age verification
• Signed Entry Form
• Short written description of the composition outlining inspirations and important features
• Submit via Google Docs

Judging 

• A panel of highly qualified judges will select the winning composition to be announced at the Florida Music Educators State Conference in Tampa, Florida in January 2026
• Scores will be judged based upon artistic quality, significant structural, analytical, technical quality, and skill in orchestration and scoring.

Award

• $1,500 award
• It is our intention that the winning composition will be performed at the 2027 FMEA Conference, but we cannot guarantee that this will happen.
• Travel stipend to attend the rehearsals and performance of the composition
• All compositions that are named finalists will be listed in The Florida Music Director

Entry Deadline: December 15, 2025

Rules and Entry Instructions