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Music Competitions in the USA
15 open competitions for musicians and artists in the USA right now, from organizers like International Music Software Trade Association (IMSTA), Reno Pops Orchestra, KHS America, Inc. (SONOR Orff USA). 5 of them close within the next 30 days. Every listing is checked by a person — deadlines, award amounts and who can apply — so you spend less time searching and more time making music.
- Open now
- 15
- Closing in 30 days
- 5
- Recently closed
- 6
- Updated
- Weekly
Open competitions in the USA
Reno Pops Orchestra — Composer’s Showcase Call for Scores (2026–27 season)
Deadline: August 10, 2026
SONOR Orff Composition Contest (2026)
Deadline: August 15, 2026
Florence Price International Piano Competition (University of Arkansas) — 2026
Deadline: August 15, 2026
IMSTA — IMSTA Song Competition Miami 2026 (Regional)
Deadline: August 18, 2026
U.S. Naval Academy Band — Call for Scores 2026 (Charles A. Zimmermann Prize in Composition)
Deadline: August 31, 2026
Angel City Chorale — Competition for Young Composers (2026 cycle)
Deadline: September 1, 2026
IMSTA — IMSTA Song Competition New York 2026 (Regional)
Deadline: September 22, 2026
IMSTA — IMSTA Song Competition Toronto 2026 (Regional)
Deadline: October 13, 2026
Arizona International Music Competition (2026 cycle)
Deadline: November 16, 2026
Great American Song Contest (2026)
Deadline: November 18, 2026
IMSTA — IMSTA Online Song Competition 2026
Deadline: November 26, 2026
Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) — Young Composers Competition
Deadline: December 9, 2026
Alabama Music Teachers Association (AMTA) — State Composition Competition (2026)
Deadline: Rolling / no deadline
Alabama Orchestra Association — Annual Composition Contest
Deadline: Rolling / no deadline
Missouri Composers Project (MOCOP) — 2026 cycle (winners/performance)
Deadline: Rolling / no deadline
Recently closed
Many of these run every year — check the page for when the next round is likely to open.
New England Philharmonic — 2027 Call for Scores Competition
Closed: July 15, 2026
Prize Fest — Music Prize (2026)
Closed: July 7, 2026
Ponce International Composition Competition (2026)
Closed: July 1, 2026
Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival — Submit to Perform (2026)
Closed: June 1, 2026
Barlow Prize (2026) — Two Pianos & Two Percussionists
Closed: June 1, 2026
Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir — Call for Compositions (2026)
Closed: May 31, 2026
Keep exploring
New to this? How to Apply for Music Grants: A Step-by-Step Guide walks through the whole process.
Music Competitions by country
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