This year, the MAGA National Youth Music Arranging Competition will feature arrangements for String Orchestra and Solo Vocalist with optional rhythm section. The winning entry will receive $AU 1000 as prize money and have the chance for their entry to be performed by the singer/ songwriter and String Orchestra in Sydney.
The competition opens on 1st February 2021 and closes 5pm AWST 30th June 2021.
Entries are now closed. Good luck to all entrants.
ENTRY FEE: $20
The MAGA National Youth Music Arranging Competition is open to any music arranger(**) under the age of 30 as at 30th June, 2021. Any non-member of MAGA may apply. No Full MAGA Member or Certificate member will be eligible.
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd pace winners will also be considered for complimentary three year MAGA Certificate of Merit Membership to help them work towards Full MAGA membership.
Note: Previous 1st place winners are not eligible to enter the competition for the subsequent 2 years.
** Only Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents or Students on a Visa (Subclass 500) are eligible to enter.
If the entry fee is not received by the closing date, then the entry will not be considered by the judging panel.
Entries are now closed
In 2020, the orchestration is String Orchestra + Solo Vocalist with optional rhythm section. Next years competition will be for a different genre/ensemble type. The arrangement must be scored for:
Your arrangement must be no more than 5 minutes in length.
Online Application: Entry will be using a secure online application form available HERE.
Application: 1 completed application form.
Score: Your score should be in PDF format. Please do not send notation files.
Note: Please ensure there are no identifying marks on your score to ensure anonymity for judging.
Proof of Eligibility: 1. Australian citizenship; 2. Permanent Residency; or 3. Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Audio: You must provide a recording of a synth or live rehearsal version of the work in MP3 format. This can simply be a playback from your notation software.
Deadline : All materials (incl. payment) must be received by 5pm AWST (Perth Time) Wednesday 30th June, 2021.
Judges will include members of the MAGA National Executive Board and recognised award winning Australian arrangers under the direction of Ian Boath, the "Competition Chair".
All entries will be anonymous to the judging panel.
The winners will be announced on the MAGA website on or before 28th July, 2021. The 1st Prize winner must supply a complete set of copied parts in order to have the chance for their works to be rehearsed, performed and recorded by professional musicians.
The judges decisions regarding the results are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the winners.
The arrangements must be made from one of the following two works by Australian Indigenous songwriters.
Note: The Sacred Song elements of the song Red were not notated due to cultural reasons.
The arranger may include an accompaniment for this section to support the singer, without notating any of the vocal parts
5. Past Competitions
Click on the links below to view past competitions: