William D. Revelli Composition Contest

Michael Schelle wins the 2012 NBA/William D. Revelli Composition Contest

Listen to the piece

Schelle was selected the winner at the 2012 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago with his composition, The End of the World.

This new work for symphonic band/symphonic wind ensemble was inspired by the 2011 Japan earthquakes and tsunami, the Mayan calendar and the Nostradamus doomsday prophecy for the end of the world in December 2012. Thirty-five college bands from across the country participated in a consortium commission.

Born in 1950 in Philadelphia, Michael Schelle was raised in Bergen County, New Jersey. Schelle graduated from Northern Highlands Regional High School where, as Captain of the track team, he held the all-state distance records in javelin, shot put and hammer for three years running. Now 30 years running as Composer in Residence at Butler University's School of Music in Indianapolis, he has been a two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation Composition Prize, a finalist for the International Humour in Poetry Competition (Paris), a published author (film music book), and a restaurant critic (Indianapolis).

For more about Michael Schelle, the winning composition, and Schelle's music, visit his website.

About the NBA/Revelli Composition Contest

The NBA Composition Contest has awarded prizes since 1977.   It is the desire of the National Band Association that winning compositions reflect its mission in helping further the cause of quality literature for bands in America.  Additionally, works chosen as winners should be those not only of significant structural, analytical, and technical quality, but also of such nature that will allow bands to program them as part of their standard repertoire.  As a result, a glance through our list of past winners will reveal some very familiar names.

Each year the contest receives approximately 50-70 entries from all over the world.  Entries range in scope and quality from middle school level marches to lengthy and sophisticated symphonies.  The full list is evaluated by a committee of graduate students and band directors and narrowed down to a list of 6-10 finalists that are brought to Chicago each December during the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.  There, a panel of leading public school, university, and military band directors (see list below) meets to determine a winner.   It is the policy of this committee to announce the winner only.  No runners up are announced.

Sponsors have played an important role throughout the years in this event.  The NBA Composition Contest is extremely fortunate to have a generous supporter in our current sponsor, CONN-SELMER, Inc.

Revelli Composition Contest Application for 2013 here.

William D. Revelli Memorial Composition Contest past winners.

Matthew McCutchen, Chair Click here to email

NBA/Revelli Contest Selection Committee Committee Chair Dr. Matthew McCutchen University of South Florida (FL) Committee Members Mary Lou Boderman South Salem High School (OR) Marcellus Brown Boise State University (UT) Rob Carroll Great Bridge High School (VA) Jay Gephart Purdue University (IN) David Gorham Owasso High School (OK) Robert Grechesky Butler University (IN) Timothy Holtan U.S. Military Academy (NY) Diane Koutsulis Green Valley High School (NV) Robert Rumbelow University of Illinois (IL) Scott Rush Wando High School (SC) Stan Schoonover Fairfax County Public Schools (VA) Scott Tobias University of South Florida (FL) John Thomson New Trier High School (IL) Rodney Winther Retired (FL) Jim Worman Trinity University (TX)