CASH PRIZE OF $10,000
The American Bandmasters Association (ABA) and John Philip Sousa Foundation are proud to announce the 65th Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Composition Contest. Since 1956, this composition contest has stimulated the creation of many important new compositions for concert band and is responsible for more original band music than any other competition of its kind.
The Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Committee consists of ABA members who screen and judge the entries according to the rules listed below.
The winning composition will be performed at the 2026 American Bandmasters Association Convention, which will be held in Chicago, Illinois, March 3-8, 2026.
2025 CONTEST RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Submissions must be original compositions for band with a completion date no earlier than August 1, 2022. Previously submitted works will not be accepted. No transcriptions or arrangements are allowed, with the exception of works transcribed for band by the composer. (For these entries, the completion date of the transcription will serve as the date of eligibility).
2. Entries should be scored for an ensemble that consists primarily of woodwinds, brass and percussion. While there is no prescribed instrumentation for this award, the conventional symphonic band instrumentation is approximately as follows: Piccolo, Flutes, Oboes/English Horn, Bassoons/Contra Bassoon, E-flat Clarinet, B-flat Clarinets (3 parts), Bass Clarinet, Contra Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophones (two parts) /Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpets (Cornets) (at least 3 parts), French Horns (4 parts), Trombones (3 or 4 parts), Euphoniums, Tubas, String Bass, Percussion. The score may also include Piano, Harp and/or other keyboard instruments and may also include electronic elements produced by a synthesizer or computer. Works for solo instruments with wind accompaniment are also eligible for consideration.
3. The 2025 Award Committee will consider concert band compositions with a difficulty level of Grade 1 through Grade 4.
4. There is not a maximum/minimum length for entries, nor is there a limit on the number of movements.
5. The number of works submitted by a composer is limited to three per year. Each entry must be submitted separately. ABA members are not allowed to submit a work for consideration.
6. MIDI-type realizations will NOT be accepted. Recordings MUST be produced from a live performance or recording session.
7. Submitted scores must have the following information redacted (removed):
- Name of Composer
- Consortium Members (if applicable)
- Dedications
- Performing Ensemble and Conductor
- Any Other Identifying Information (Please check program notes)
Scores that have not been sufficiently redacted will not be accepted. Composers will be contacted regarding unredacted scores, which may be resubmitted once the redaction is complete.
8. Receipt of entries will be verified by an email reply from the Committee Chair. Candidates who have not received a confirmation within one week are encouraged to resubmit or contact the Committee Chair.
9. After the final round of judging is complete in September, the winner will be notified by a member of the American Bandmasters Association, and an announcement will be posted on the ABA website. The winning work will be performed at the 2026 American Bandmasters Association Convention in Chicago, IL. Depending on the length of the work, the ABA may decide to use an abbreviated version of the winning composition at this performance.
10. The winning composer will receive a cash prize of $10,000. The prize entitles the ABA to performance rights at future ABA conventions. The composer must furnish a score and a set of parts at no charge to ABA, as well as the rights to release a recording of the ABA convention performance. Winning composers are encouraged to attend the convention performance. Some travel expenses will be paid by the ABA in order to help facilitate the composer’s attendance at the convention.
11. The Committee reserves the option of withholding the award, a decision that would be reached by no less than a 75% majority.
12. All rights to the work, including copyright and publisher negotiation, remain with the composer, except for performance rights at ABA conventions (see #10 above).
2025 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Contest Submission Deadline: July 15, 2025, by 11:59 pm EDT
1. Submit 2025 Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Composition Contest Form
2. Submit Recordings and Scores (Redacted) via email to the Committee Chair, Bradley Genevro at Bradley.Genevro@okstate.edu.
- Email subject line should be: 2025 Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Submission
- Score should be submitted in the following format: TitleofWork.pdf
- Audio recording should be submitted in the following format: TitleofWork.mp3 OR TitleofWork.wav
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