Awards: ♫ An award of $75.00* will be presented in each state in which a winner is declared.

♫ An Award of Merit Certificate will be presented to each winner and teacher. Essay Rules:

•   2026 Theme: Music...is our constant companion

•   Contest open to 7-12th grade students. Essay must be typed and no longer than 500 words. Essay

  is judged on relation to theme, continuity of thought, and completeness of application.

  Membership in NFMC is NOT required to enter.

•   Essay and picture (jpg format) of student is required to be uploaded to the NFMC website

  https://forms.nfmc-music.org/forms/ by January 10.

•   The current year’s theme and entrant’s name must be typed at the top of the first page. The

  teacher’s email address or telephone number must be included.

•   Email regional chair: name and contact info after upload is completed.

•   The essays become the property of the NFMC and may be published. Teachers and state

  presidents will be notified in the winning states.