The AAA is proud to announce that this year’s edition of the Elsie M. Bennett Composition Competition will take place in January of 2021.

Elsie M. Bennett was the driving force behind the AAA’s Composers Commissioning Committee, and was successful in getting the most famous of contemporary composers to write for the accordion. Among them were Robert Russell Bennett, Paul Creston, Robert Baksa, Lucas Foss, Alexander Tcherepnin, and so many more. A complete list is included on the AAA website at ameraccord.com.

This competition is in her memory and the AAA encourages contemporary composers to include writing for the accordion in their repertoire. Application forms are included with this article and can be found on the website as well.

A panel of prominent accordionists and composers will be assembled to judge the submissions, and the winning pieces from both the Junior Division (up to 18 years of age) and the Open Division (18 and older) may be featured at the AAA’s Festival in West Philadelphia next summer. In the event the pandemic does not allow us to gather in West Philadelphia, there may be a virtual event planned to publicize the winners.

AAA is also proud to announce that the winning entries from the last few years will be available on the website for everyone to hear, and options for accessing the music will also be included.

2021 Bennett Entry Forms: 2021Bennett.pdf

Hope to see YOUR music in the competition!