The MTNA Competitions are prestigious, national level competitions designed to give highly achieving young performers and composers the opportunity to advance in musicianship and excellence. MSMTA State Competition winners advance to the Northwest Division Competition (held by video submission), where winners have the opportunity to progress to the MTNA National Competitions held in conjunction with the MTNA National Conference each spring. Performance competitions are divided into Junior, Senior, Young Artist, and Chamber Music divisions, and the composition competition features Elementary, Junior, Senior, and Young Artist divisions.

 

Teachers entering students in the performance and composition competitions are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the full competition guidelines.​​ Please consider supporting this event by becoming an MSMTA sponsor!

 

All teacher membership fees must be current before entering. There is an additional fee for non-member teachers entering students. Membership dues may be renewed here. No exceptions to the deadline are offered, and fees must be paid upon entry.

 

Composition, Piano, Piano Duet, Strings and Woodwinds

Entry Opens: August 4, 2026​

Entry Deadline: September 9, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern (1:00 PM Mountain Time)​

Competition Dates: October 22-24, 2026

Venue: University of Montana Music Building

 

Brass, Voice, & Chamber - Video entry

Open: November 1, 2026

Deadline: December 2, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern (1:00 PM Mountain Time)

 

Stecher & Horowitz - Two Piano - Video entry

Open: September 1, 2026

Deadline: January 4, 2027, 3:00 PM Eastern (1:00 PM Mountain Time)​

https://www.mtna.org/Two_Piano_Competition.html

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For more information contact:

Dorothy Beck Peterson, NCTM, Performance Competition Coordinator

OR

Laura Detrick, Composition

Competition Coordinator email: laurainmt@gmail.com​