National Competitions

AMTA - MTNA Composition Information

Information about both AMTA & MTNA Composition opportunities can be found here.

Music Teachers National Association (www.mtna.org)

The Alabama State MTNA Competitions are the first of the 3-tiered competitions (State, Division, National) in the areas of Piano, Strings, Woodwinds, Piano Duet and Composition. Competitors enter in one of the following age categories: Junior (11-14), Senior (15-18) and Young Artist (19-29). One winner is chosen from each category to represent the state at the division level in January, which will be a video competition; winners of the division level compete at the National Competitions held annually at the national conference.

New in 2025-2026: Brass and Voice (Senior and Young Artist only) Performance Competitions are two-tiered competitions: the Preliminary Round, by video submission only; and the Final Round, live at the MTNA National Conference. Entrants will compete without regard to the state or division in which they live or take lessons. Seven finalists will be selected in both the Brass and Voice categories from a nationwide pool of applicants to compete in the final round.

Chamber Music: The MTNA Chamber Music Competitions will be a two-tiered competition: a Preliminary Round, by video submission only; (Click Here for Details) and a Final Round, live at the National Conference. In the event that the MTNA National Conference is cancelled, the finals will be a video round. Ensembles will compete without regard to the state or division in which they live or take lessons.

A poster advertising the 2025-26 MTNA Competitions can be found here and can be attached to emails or printed for display.

More information about eligibility and how to apply can be found here.

Summary:

When: October 25, 2025

Where: Samford University, Birmingham

Chair: Dr. Cindy St. Clair, 205-726-2501, cbsander@samford.edu

Registration Deadline in Piano, Strings, Woodwinds, Piano Duet and Composition: September 10 by 3:00 PM EST

Registration Deadline in Chamber Music, Brass & Voice (Senior & Young Artist): December 3 by 3:00 PM EST, with registration opening on November 1, 2025.

Visit  HERE for up-to-date information.

Winners and representatives will submit a video for Southern Division Competitions. Division winners and representatives go to the National Competitions held at the National Conference.