1st Prize
AJ Harbison (University of Missouri-Kansas City)
Five Scenes for Solo Piano

AJ Harbison (born 1985) is a composer and singer/songwriter based in Kansas City. His music lives at the intersection of concert music and vernacular music, each bringing unique vitality to the other in a language both adventurous and accessible. His compositions include solo, chamber and orchestral works, and vocal music from songs to works for mixed chorus. Harbison’s music has been performed by ensembles including The Hutchins Consort, The Singers (St. Paul, MN), the Kansas City Women’s Chorus and the students of Harmony Project KC. His most recent project is a cross-country collaboration with New York City singer/songwriter Melanie Penn and West Covina (CA) High School’s choirs, conducted by Tyler Wigglesworth. Harbison has studied with Leonard Rhodes, Pamela Madsen, Lloyd Rodgers, Ken Walicki, Chen Yi, Paul Rudy and James Mobberley, and holds degrees in composition from California State University, Fullerton and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

2nd Prize
Joris van der Herten (Dartmouth College)
Duo Variations on "I Wonder As I Wander" (violin and clarinet)

Joris van der Herten studied piano and composition in Belgium at the Academies of Lokeren and Sint-Niklaas, and in the USA at Dartmouth College. He was a double finalist in the composition competition "Op weg naar het nieuwjaarsconcert" by the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble (2006, 2007), received first prize in composition in the Dexia Classics competition (2009), was one of the six nominees for the choral composition competition "Ook jouw stem telt" (2011) and won the composition competition for cello orchestra at the Cellofestival Dordrecht (2013). In 2011, three of his works were selected for performance at the opening of the Firstsite contemporary art gallery in Colchester, United Kingdom.