Now in its 39th year, the Percussive Arts Society Percussion Composition Contest is designed to encourage and reward those who create music for percussion instruments and to increase the number of quality compositions written for percussion. Many of the contest winners are considered staples in modern percussion literature. Cash awards totaling $4,500 are distributed each year.

Instrumentation and category restrictions are determined by the PAS Composition Committee each year and the deadline for entries is April 15th.

2012 Categories
Category I: Unaccompanied Solo Marimba
Category II: Drumset Soloist with Medium Percussion Ensemble (5-8 players)

Download a 2012 application.

2013 Categories
Category I: Concert-Style Snare Drum Solo with CD
Category II: Steel Pan Ensemble (concert style; no transcriptions or arrangements)

2014 Categories
Category I. Duet for Multiple Percussion (small to medium set-up) and Woodwind Instrument
Category II.   Medium Percussion Ensemble (5-8 players) with CD

2015 Categories
Category I. Solo Timpani (4-5 drums) with CD (Timpani sizes chosen from 32", 29", 26", 23", 20")
Category II.   Percussion Ensemble (3-5 players) and Choir (SATB)
Note: Piano should not be included in the instrumentation.

Below are listed all winning compositions by category.

Solo Competition Winners

Ensemble Competition Winners