The Brandon University Student Music Educators Association (BUSMEA), in partnership with the Westman Band Directors Association (WMBDA), instrumental music teachers, and stakeholders in the Westman region, are proud to announce the launch of a national Beginning Band Composition Competition, with a submission deadline of Nov. 1, 2025.
This landmark initiative coincides with two major milestones for BUSMEA: the organization’s 40th anniversary and the 20th annual Da Capo Conference, hosted by the Brandon University School of Music. The new competition will champion the creation of original, high-quality Canadian music written specifically for beginning bands.
“As far as we know, this is the first national competition of its kind in over 20 years — and quite possibly the first ever,” said Dr. Wendy Zander, faculty member at the School of Music and long-time BUSMEA advisor. “This competition reflects our belief in fostering musical growth and professionalism from the very beginning — supporting musicians who, like our student educators, are just starting their journey.”
The Beginning Band Composition Competition is open to composers from across Canada and aims to inspire the creation of accessible, engaging, and pedagogically sound repertoire for young instrumentalists. The project not only celebrates Canadian creativity but also invests in the future of music education by enriching the resources available to music educators and their students at the most formative stages of learning.
Details regarding submission guidelines, eligibility, and competition requirements can be found at https://www.brandonu.ca/busmea/compositioncompetition/
Questions about the competition can be directed to Dr. Zander, the competition’s coordinator, at ZanderW@BrandonU.ca.
This initiative highlights the enduring commitment of BUSMEA and WMBDA members to excellence in music education. By spotlighting new works tailored to beginning band settings, this competition affirms the importance of strong musical foundations and the value of Canadian voices in the concert band tradition.
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- communications@brandonu.ca
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