William D. Revelli Composition Contest

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.

William D. Revelli Memorial Composition Contest Application for 2010

William D. Revelli Memorial Composition Contest past winners.

Terry Austin, Chair Click here to email

2009 NBA/Revelli Contest Selection Committee Committee Chair Dr. Terry Austin Virginia Commonwealth University (VA) Committee Members Mary Lou Boderman South Salem High School (OR) Marcellus Brown Boise State University (UT) Rob Carroll Great Bridge High School (VA) Scott Casagrande John Hersey High School (IL) 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) Scott Rush Wando High School (SC) Stan Schoonover Fairfax County Public Schools (VA) John Thomson New Trier High School (IL) Jim Worman Trinity University (TX)