Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge
An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge is opportunity for high school students to develop and showcase musical compositions that could be a part of a musical theater production. Learn more about how to participate at namt.org/challenge.
Watch the 2024 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge Concert on demand now!
The seven winning songs for the 2023-24 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge were presented in a special concert, recorded live from the Irene Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center in New York City.
Selected from more than 100 submissions, these captivating songs, featuring fully orchestrated arrangements performed by Broadway talent, deliver an unforgettable musical experience!
See excerpts of the winning song submissions and more information about the winners
Learn more about the mentors, orchestrators, and cast performing on June 17.
About the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge
The 2023-2024 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge kicked off in fall 2023. Over the fall and winter, students had access to online masterclasses and coaching sessions, among other songwriting tips. Students submitted a draft of their songs and received personalized constructive critique from successful musical theater songwriters. Students then had the option to revise their songs before entering their compositions for final judging. Overall, more than 100 submissions were received by students from 34 states. A panel of leaders in the musical theater field reviewed the submissions and scored them based on published criteria.
Each of the winning songs will be professionally orchestrated. Winning students will come to New York City this June where they will work with mentors and music directors to hone their orchestrations while learning about process, technique, and production. The final compositions will be performed by Broadway artists in a special concert.
In addition, all of the winning songs will be compiled into a songbook and print-at-home edition by Concord Theatricals and released at a future date. Each winning student will receive a scholarship of $2,500, provided by the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation.
The 2023-2024 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge is held in collaboration with Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation.
The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge began as a pilot program in 2016 in three cities (Dallas, TX; Minneapolis, MN, Seattle, WA) before going national in 2017/2018. We invite you to check out the final songs from our previous years' winners from the 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2016 competitions.
