The Challenge

The Challenge is simple. First, you write your own composition for small ensemble (2 to 6 instruments) or full orchestra. Then, a panel of judges chooses the top three orchestral and top three ensemble compositions to be performed and recorded by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra at the NYCC Composium held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts - Steinmetz Hall in Orlando, Florida.

PRIZES

At the Composium, each winning orchestral composer will be awarded $1000 and each winning ensemble composer will be awarded $500.

PLUS! Each winner will receive a professional recording of their composition.

2024 Finalists

Each year the National Young Composers Challenge receives a large number of submissions from every corner of the United States. The sophistication and quality of the scores has continued to grow each year. Because of the difficulty of picking only a few winners in each category, the judges also announce the list of finalists from which the winning scores will be selected. Each one of these composers deserves recognition as a winner, but unfortunately only a few scores can be selected from the finalists as winners.

To view the list of 2024 finalists, click here.

2024 Winners

The winners of the 2024 NYCC challege are listed below in alphabetical order.

Ensemble

Journey of a Mountain Goat - Hudson Holland - Cape Coral, FL - age 17

Echoes of the Jungle - Mia Turakhia - Hillsborough, CA - age 13

Villanelle - Billy Waldman - Redondo Beach, CA - age 17

Full Orchestra

When Indigo Grew Atop a Cloud - Fabian Leung - Murphy, TX - age 18

Caprice for Orchestra - Asher Schmidt - Memphis, TN - age 13

Chester's Frog - Andrew Schneider - Galena, OH - age 17

CONTACT US

If you have a question regarding the National Young Composers Challenge, you can contact us at mail@ followed by YoungComposersChallenge.org.