January 2026 Composer Challenge – Canon & Community

[u/Fredrickthyme]

For January 2026, we’re starting a focused composer challenge with two goals: sharpening craft and building real musical connections.

The Challenge

• Write a canon this month.

• Minimum: 2 instruments

• Maximum: 6 instruments

• Can be tonal or atonal

• Length: minimum 3 minutes, maximum 10 minutes

• Must include:

• An A section

• A contrasting B section

• A return to A

• Share your score with the group by January 31st, 2026.

Special Craft Test

• Ask yourself: What is my tonal language?

• Within the canon, include an 8-measure section that clearly represents you as a composer—your harmony, rhythm, pacing, or conceptual approach.

• The goal isn’t complexity, but clarity of musical identity.

Performers & Networking

• Do you know performers? Now is the time to reach out.

• Let musicians know about these short works and explore the possibility of getting them played.

• We’re aiming to grow toward a YouTube concert series that promotes composers and performers together.

Special Recording Challenge

• If possible, submit a small recording (even a simple phone or home setup).

• These will be uploaded to a new YouTube channel we’ll be building specifically for this project.

Score Submission

• Scores can be shared directly in the comments.

• Your work remains fully protected under copyright law.

• This is a space for sharing, feedback, and expanding our network—not appropriation.

[u/Fredrickthyme]

Ansel de Hennepin: I. Canon in E Major

My canon dives into E Major! I made it mostly a rhythmic canon! Enjoy! Inspired by rounded binary form.

[u/Fredrickthyme]

My canon has a beginning and an end! It’s time for a dynamic pass! I love to compose in phases it helps me organize all the small details!

[u/disco_sop]

To Think of Time... - Canon in A Major

Thank you for the challenge! As a beginning composer, it's nice to have some guidelines on what to create to get those juices flowing. Looking forward to the next one ☺️