Biola University High School Composition Competition

The Biola Conservatory of the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the Biola University High School Composition Competition, for composers who are currently juniors and seniors in high school.

We are interested in scores reflecting an interest in the classical or cinematic traditions (see explanations below). The grand prize will be a minimum $6,000 renewable scholarship to attend Biola University as a composition major. Honorable mention awards, with smaller scholarships, may also be distributed.

Application Guidelines:

• Composers may submit a maximum of 2 scores.
• Accompanying recordings are highly recommended, though not necessary.
• Live recordings are preferred, but MIDI realizations/mockups are also acceptable.
• A cover letter should be included in the body of the email, containing the composer’s full name, year in high school and contact info (phone, e-mail, physical address).
• Submissions should be sent electronically to robert.denham@biola.edu as pdfs and mp3s. Please create a separate pdf or mp3 for each submission and title the subject of your submission “YOUR NAME: submission to BUHSCC.”
• You will receive an email stating that your materials have been received.

Deadline: Applications must be timestamped by February 1, 2027.

Announcement: Winner(s) will be announced by the end of February.

Contest Judges: Conservatory Composition Faculty.

Fine Print:

• To obtain this scholarship, the winner must attend Biola University as a composition major (BM or BA).
• Classical/cinematic traditions: This means that the composer is writing using traditional notation, as opposed to chord symbols and/or lead sheets. If they choose, applicants may reference the styles of classical composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, or cinematic composers such as John Williams, Michael Giacchino and Hans Zimmer.
• The Biola Conservatory reserves the right not to declare a winner for any given year of this competition.

For more information on Biola University and the Conservatory of the Performing Arts, see https://www.biola.edu/conservatory/. To apply to the composition program, click “Apply Now.”