The Challenge is simple. First, you write your own composition for small ensemble (2 to 6 instruments) or full orchestra. Then, a panel of judges chooses the top three orchestral and top three ensemble compositions to be performed and recorded by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra at the NYCC Composium held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts – Steinmetz Hall in Orlando, Florida.
2025-6 WINNERS & finalists
This year’s six winners were chosen from a total of over 175 submissions from every corner of the United States. The sophistication and quality of the scores has continued to grow each year. Because of the difficulty of picking only a few winners in each category, the judges also announce the list of finalists from which the winning scores were selected. Each one of these composers deserves recognition as a winner, but unfortunately only a few scores can be selected from the finalists as winners.
The winners of the 2025 NYCC challege are listed below in alphabetical order.
ENSEMBLE
Amsterdam – Evan Butler – Tallahassee, FL – age 16
Elegy for Lost Time – Skye Neal – Lake Oswego, OR – age 15
I Think We Just Saw Saturn – Mia Turakhia – Hillsborough, CA – age 14
FULL ORCHESTRA
Unravel – Princeton Brooks – Walterboro, SC – age 17
An Open Window – Hudson Holland – Murphy, NC – age 18
Bizaan – Luke Soneral – Waconia, MN – age 17
Go to https://www.youngcomposerschallenge.org/composium_recordings.php to hear these performances!