The MTNA National Student Competitions are the most successful and prestigious student competitions in the country. Each year, thousands of students compete for top prizes and national recognition.
The three-tiered competition begins at the state round. First-place winners of each state’s competition advance to a division competition. Division winners compete in the national finals at the annual MTNA National Conference.
Competitions include Composition, Brass, Piano, String, Voice, Woodwind and Chamber Music.
In Fall 2017, MTNA launched the MTNA-Stecher and Horowitz Two Piano Competition for pianists ages 19–29.
The MTNA–Stecher and Horowitz Two Piano Competition differs from the MTNA student performance competitions because it consists of only two rounds: a Preliminary Round, by video submission only; and a Final Round, which takes place live at the MTNA National Conference.
For details on guidelines and the most up-to-date information for entering the MTNA Competitions, please visit the MTNA Competitions page.
MTNA Composition Competition – Indiana State Round
For questions regarding the state round of the Composition Competition, please contact Indiana’s MTNA Competitions Chair, James Helton.
Registration deadlines
- Composition, Piano, Strings, Woodwinds: 3:00 pm Eastern Time, Wednesday, September 10
- Brass, Voice, and Chamber Music: 3:00 pm Eastern Time, Wednesday, December 3 (registration for these competitions opens November 1.)
- Register through the guideline links, posted below.
MTNA Performance Competition – Indiana State Round
Where: Ball State University, Saturday, Saturday, October 25, 2025
Teacher dues must be paid by this time. For competition details please consult the website at mtna.org.
COMPETITON GUIDELINES HAVE CHANGED. PLEASE READ THEM.
Composition Guidelines
Performance Guidelines
Highlights:
- Entrance fees will increase by $15 for each level.
- Non-member teacher fee will increase from $150 to $200.
- Young Artist age limit is now 19-29.
- Please remind parents and students to watch for email.
- If a second teacher needs to be acknowledged in the application, please contact the national competitions director, Terri Hlublek.
- Note time limits for your competition; some have changed. Please note the maximum timings for repertoire. For judges to be able to hear all that they need to hear, submissions should not exceed the National Finals maximum for more than ten (10) minutes. Please refer to the guidelines for more details.
- Voice entrants, please note specific requirements for your category.
- In response to the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Sony Corporation, video recordings are for private use only (for family or teacher use). Do not post to social media.
- PLEASE INSTRUCT YOUR STUDENTS TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL TIME FOR REGISTRATION. The process is now designed to require that the guidelines be acknowledged. This may take some time.
Indiana MTNA Performance Competition Coordinators
Junior Competitions (Piano, String, Woodwind)
Leon Harshenin
Senior Competitions (Brass, Piano, String, Voice, Woodwind, Piano Duet)
Pedro Medeiros
Young Artist Competitions (Brass, Piano, String, Voice, Woodwind)
Jim Helton
Site Coordinator: Ray Kilburn