National Federation Junior Composer Contest Winners

Class I First Prize to Weston Frazier for The Creeps.

Class III First Prize to Anthony Leonard for Adagio for Strings.

Class IV First Prize to Mason Cooreman for Ode to Mahler.

NFMC Junior Festival

NFMC Festival Cup Recipients:

15 Point Cups

Anthony Leonard Concerto

Evaline Hieronymus Solo

Liza Firth Combined Solo/Conc.

Mason Cooreman Combined Solo/Conc.

Samuel Black Hymn

45 Point Cup

Abby Frank Solo

Hannah Frank Solo

Seth Wilson Solo

60 Point Cup

Jael Schuck Combined Solo/Conc.

Just a few of our 20 talented Festival participants.

The National Federation of Music Clubs, National Music Week Winners for Colorado and Wyoming

Music ….Is Unstoppable

Jael Schuck & Evaline Hieronymus

Jael Schuck’s Essay

I cannot remember a time I have not been surrounded by music. From singing a cappella at church, to listening to my siblings’ practicing piano, to eventually having my own music lessons many of my early memories revolve around music. So do many of my recent memories-learning cello, discussing dominant seventh chords and the analogies they present, presenting psalms at church, singing spontaneously with my family in the kitchen. Such musical memories are valuable to me, always ready for me to recall. Music is unstoppable. It transcends time and differences and human emotions to continue as itself, always changing and growing, and yet always the same, as it always has been and as it ever will be.  

Music is unstoppable by time. Musical instruments were one of the first things mankind began crafting. In the Bible, Genesis 1-2 recounts the history of creation; just two chapters later, Genesis mentions Jubal, the father or founder, of all who ply the lyre and pipe. Music has been around since nearly the beginning of time, and ever since, it has continues to develop. Music will always exist. Another way music transcends time is seen in what happens when I try to play a repertoire piece of music from years past. Usually after one or two run-throughs, I can get it to sound nearly as good as it was years ago, because the music remains in my Brin and fingers, just waiting to spring out and stand the test of time.  

Secondly, music surpasses human differences. Music and the emotive themes contained therein cross language barriers, making themselves known to anyone. It was in the singing of “Silent Night” that the World War I Christmas truce unfolded between the Germans and the Allies. The Jewish exiles to Babylon found solace, justice, and unity in singing the Psalms. No matter the division or trial, music stirs people’s very souls, bringing connection and healing. 

Evaline Hieronymus’ essay

Since the beginning of time, human beings have made music.  In Greek mythology, Apollo was the symbol for the lyre, which is most likely the most important musical instrument in Greece’s culture.  The Babylonian people used drums for both secular and worship purposes. In tropical places like Polynesia or Hawaii, the indigenous people used conch shells and instruments made from animal bones to hold rituals.  Later on, it was used in the Civil Right Movement in the United States.  It has been alive and viable since time immemorial.  Music carries people through adversity and they come out stronger. 

During Plessy vs. Ferguson, it was ruled by the Supreme Court that segregation was legal as long as it was separate but equal.  Many erroneous people used this as an excuse to shun African American people and create a world of segregation.  Through this all, gospel and spiritual hymns and songs such as “We Shall Overcome” helped peoples’ morale and bolstered them to keep fighting for basic human rights.  The Civil Rights Act, which was made by former president Lyndon B. Johnson, eradicated the injustice of segregation and music continues to play an important role in many African American traditions and celebrations today.

Next, music is unstoppable because it was created when humans and homo sapiens evolved 300,000 year ago and continues to this day.  Music has been alive and thriving throughout human history.  Many studies suggest that cave people used bone flutes as instruments and they used their own voices to create melodies.  As society developed, musicians were prized as both small village and high court entertainment.  In current years, musicians and rock stars are celebrities garnering huge audiences for live concerts and recorded music.  After all this time, music has still survived and is used in everyday life for relaxation, therapy and worship.

Ultimately, music is unstoppable even through adversity.  Nazis sent persecuted people to concentration camps (LGBTQ+ people, Romani and Jewish people and supposed criminals) as they were marginalized for their appearance or culture.  However, prisoners of the labor camps found the inspiration to write concertos and full symphonies while incarcerated.  Researchers and scientists are just discovering many of these musical revelations.  Even though people were experiencing the most trying of times, they found refuge and solace in utilizing music, an age-old device of humankind.

Music is employed as an important tool all over the world and has bee for the last millennium.  Music is valued throughout history, from its important place in the Civil Rights Movement to the role it plays the face of adversity.  Overall , it’s been used in many different forms and called on to play different roles, but it is always unstoppable in the moment where it matters most. 

Each essay winner earned $75.00 from the National Federation of Music Clubs for their winning submission.