SONOR Orff Composition Contest
Elementary music is a demanding profession, and burnout is all too common. SONOR believes that elementary music teachers should have a chance to renew their energy and inspiration. Reignite your creative spark and recharge through the SONOR Orff Composition Contest with a chance to win a 5-day trip to the German countryside of Bad Berleburg, follow in Carl Orff's footsteps through Munich, and much more. Winners of the contest will tour the SONOR factory and witness the commitment and dedication we've had for our products throughout 150 years of making musical instruments. The SONOR Orff Composition Contest is designed to challenge you and take you out of the everyday teaching routine and refuel your passion for the classroom.
The SONOR Orff Composition Contest features two categories to enter: Original Composition & Arrangement of a Traditional Folk Song. One Grand Prize winner in each of the categories will win an all expense paid trip to Germany for SONOR's 150th Anniversary Celebration in Spring 2025 and one runner up in each category will receive a Limited-Edition Custom Xylophone!
About the Contest
- Contest Period: January 1, 2024 - August 15, 2024
- There will be two categories to enter: Original Composition & Arrangement of a Traditional Folk Song
- All arrangements must include music in the public domain.
- All pieces must be:
- 3-5 voices: Soprano, Alto and Bass Xylophone are required, but you may also include non-pitched percussion or recorder. (Parts must be written in the appropriate range of the instruments.)
- 16-32 measures long
- written for an elementary aged ensemble including lyrics aligned with and appropriate for the Orff-Schulwerk process
- relevant to and culturally appropriate for classroom elementary music educators
- Submission Requirements: All submissions must include a PDF of the score. Audio and video recordings are optional.
- Judging: A panel of 5 Orff-Schulwerk Specialists will anonymously judge each of the entries and select a grand prize winner and runner up in each of the categories (4 total).
- Prizes:
- Grand Prize (2 total): 5 day, all expense paid trip to Germany in Spring 2025 and the opportunity to hear your composition performed at the 2025 AOSA National Conference
- Runner Up (2 total): Special Edition Xylophone
- Additional Details: This contest is only open to residents of the United States. You must be 18 years or older at time of entry. For more information, please refer to our FAQs or Contest Official Rules.
Browse through these FAQs to find answers to commonly raised questions.
Have additional questions? Fill out our contact form here.
What is the judging criteria?
A panel of 5 judges will score pieces on the following criteria:
- Does the composition meet the following requirements:
- The composition is written for barred instruments. Non-pitched percussion instruments and recorder may also be included.
- 3-5 voices are included (soprano, alto and bass xylophone minimum)
- Parts are written for the appropriate range of the instruments
- The composition is in an elemental style of writing including lyrics aligned with the Orff-Schulwerk process
- The composition is between 16-32 measures long.
- Additional scoring will include:
- If the composition can be performed by the age or grade specified on the entry form and is appropriate for the Orff-Schulwerk process.
- If the composition is relevant and culturally appropriate for classroom elementary music educators of the age or grade specified on the entry form.
- Originality and ingenuity of the composition
What is included in the trip to Germany?
The all-expense paid 5-day trip in Spring 2025 for the 2 Grand Prize Winners will include:
- Round trip airfare
- Lodging, meals and transportation
- Sonor Factory tour in Bad Berleberg
- Various sightseeing in Bad Berleberg and Munich
*ARV of the Grand Prize is $5,400 each. Value may change based on the cost of airfare and lodging at the time of purchase. Airfare cost based on prices flying roundtrip from KHS America's headquarters in Nashville, TN, USA to Munich, Germany. For more detailed information, please refer to the Prizes section in our Official Rules.
Contest Official Rules
2024 Sonor Orff Composition Contest Official Rules
YOU HAVE NOT YET WON A PRIZE. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY CONSIDERATION IS NECESSARY TO ENTER THE CONTEST OR BE AWARDED A PRIZE. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING A PRIZE. BY PROVIDING CONSENT TO RECEIVE FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS FROM KHS AMERICA, INC., YOU AGREE THAT YOU ARE SUBSCRIBING TO THE FOLLOWING KHS AMERICA EMAIL NEWSLETTERS:
Sonor Orff USA. YOU MAY UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
Please read these Official Rules before entering the 2024 Sonor Orff Composition Contest (the “Contest”). By entering this online Contest, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and represent that you satisfy all of the eligibility requirements stated below.
Sonor Orff USA believes music teachers should have a chance to renew their energy and inspiration by challenging their creative spark with a Composition Contest. Judges will anonymously choose the winning entries based on:
- the composition meeting the minimum requirements outlined on the Contest Page
- if the composition can be performed by the age or grade specified on the entry form and is deemed appropriate for the Orff-Schulwerk process
- if the composition is relevant and culturally appropriate for classroom elementary music educators of the grade or age specified on the entry form
- originality and ingenuity of the composition
Prizes will be awarded in accordance with these Official Rules.
THE CONTEST IS OFFERED ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES AND ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF, AND LIVING WITHIN, THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AS OF TIME OF ENTRY IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE THE CONTEST IS NOT PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. CONTEST ENTRY IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sponsor and Administrator
The sponsors of the Contest are KHS America, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, whose address is 12020 Volunteer Blvd., Mount Juliet, TN 37122, and Sonor GmbH, a German corporation, whose address is Zum Heilbach 5, 57319 Bad Berleburg, Germany (“Sponsors”). KHS America is the sole administrator (“Administrator”) of the Contest. Administrator is responsible for collecting and processing entries and the overall administration of the Contest. Entrants should look solely to Administrator with any questions, comments, or problems related to the Contest. The contact for Administrator with respect to questions related to the Contest is Tim Henry, who can be reached by email at tim.henry@khsmusic.com during Administrator’s normal business hours. Contacting Tim Henry does not constitute entry into the Contest and will not improve any entrant’s chances of winning a prize. No correspondence or contact other than that specified in these Official Rules will be accepted as an entry in the Contest. The Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (“AOSA”).
Eligibility
The Contest is only offered in the United States and is open only to legal residents of, and living within, the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older as of the time of entry, unless otherwise prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. Residents of Puerto Rico and / or other U.S. territories and possessions are not eligible to enter or win the Contest. Employees, officers, and directors of Sponsors and Administrator, Sponsors’ and Administrator’s affiliates, and Sponsors’ and Administrator’s advertising and promotion agencies and the immediate families of such employees, officers, and directors (including their parents, siblings, children and spouses) and members of the same household of such employees, officers, and directors (whether or not related) are not eligible to enter the Contest.
Contest Period
The Contest begins on January 1, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. Central Time (“CT”) and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on August 15, 2024 (the “Contest Period”). The computer of Administrator’s contact person is the official timekeeping device for the Contest.
How to Enter
An individual can enter the Contest during the Contest Period using the following method(s): Completing the online form titled: “Sonor Orff Composition Contest Entry Form” located at https://www.sonor.com/orff-percussion/us/composition-contest. You may also mail your entry to: Sonor Orff Composition Contest, 12020 Volunteer Blvd, Mt. Juliet TN, 37122. All entries become the property of Administrator and will not be acknowledged or returned. No correspondence or contact other than that specified in these Official Rules will be accepted as an entry in the Contest. Entries that are misdirected, lost, late, incorrect, incomplete, illegible, stolen, mutilated, invalid, received with postage-due or undeliverable for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of hardware, software, browser, or network failure, malfunction, or incompatibility with Sponsors’, Administrator’s or other third-party servers involved in the entry or prize claim processes) will not be eligible. Entries generated by automated means will be void and will not be eligible. Proof of submission of a completed survey by an entrant does not constitute proof of delivery to Administrator of the contest entry form. The Administrator’s decisions with respect to completion and delivery of valid contest entry forms will be final.
Prizes
The contest consists of two (2) categories to enter: Original Composition and Arrangement of a Traditional Folk Song. One (1) Grand Prize winner and one (1) Runner Up will be selected in each of the two (2) categories.
The two (2) Grand Prize winners will be awarded a 5-day all-expense paid trip to Germany (each such trip, “the Grand Prize”). The Grand Prize includes roundtrip coach class airfare from the major US gateway airport nearest the Grand Prize winner’s residence to Frankfurt or Munich, Germany, standard hotel accommodations (single occupancy), 3 meals per day, transportation to and from items within the itinerary provided at the beginning of the trip, a Sonor Factory tour, a welcome gift, and various sightseeing in Bad Berleberg, and Munich, Germany included in the itinerary provided at the beginning of the trip in Spring 2025. Exact dates of travel will be provided to the Grand Prize winners at least 60 days in advance of departure. The compositions of the Grand Prize winners will be performed at the AOSA National Conference in November 2025. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of the Grand Prize is $5,400. Actual Grand Prize value will vary depending on winner's city of departure and airfare and hotel cost fluctuations. Airfare cost is based on prices flying roundtrip from KHS America’s headquarters in Nashville, TN, USA to Munich, Germany. All other expenses not specifically mentioned herein, including but not limited to, flight upgrades, luggage fees, any transportation and accommodations other than ones stated on the itinerary, and personal charges are not included in prize are the responsibility of the Grand Prize winners. Sponsors or Administrator will determine airline, flight itinerary and hotel and accommodations in their sole discretion. Flights associated with the itinerary may include stopovers and/or connections. Sponsors are not responsible if flights are delayed or canceled. Grand Prize Winners must provide their own transportation to and from the departure airport. The Grand Prize is not transferable and may not be exchanged or redeemed for cash. The Grand Prize winner is solely responsible for obtaining the proper travel documentation (e.g., valid passport/visa, vaccine documentation and insurance) prior to travel. The Grand Prize winners must travel on the dates and itinerary provided by the Sponsors. The Grand Prize winners must also comply with all applicable laws, policies, orders, protocols, and guidelines issued by federal, state, and local authorities. By accepting the Grand Prize, each Grand Prize winner agrees to release and hold the Sponsors and Administrator harmless from and against any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses and liability that may occur, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from the participation in the Contest.
The two (2) Runner Up Prizes will be awarded a Limited-Edition Custom Xylophone (each such xylophone, “the Runner Up Prize”). ARV of the Runner Up Prize is $1,500. Actual retail value may vary.
The odds of winning a prize depend upon the number of valid entries received by Administrator during the contest period.
Contest Requirements
Contest submissions must meet the following criteria (“Contest Requirements”)
- All Compositions must consist of:
- 3-5 voices: Soprano, Alto and Bass Xylophone are required. Non-pitched percussion or recorder may be included.
- Parts must be written in the appropriate range of the instruments.
- 16-32 measures
- Music written in the elemental style including lyrics aligned with the Orff-Schulwerk process.
- 3-5 voices: Soprano, Alto and Bass Xylophone are required. Non-pitched percussion or recorder may be included.
- All compositions must be able to be performed by the age or grade specified on the entry form. The composition must also be relevant and culturally appropriate for classroom elementary music educators (grades 1-6) of the age or grade specified on the entry form.
- All entries must include a PDF of a score using a music notation software. Individuals will be asked to identify which notation software was used in the entry form. Handwritten scores will not be accepted. An audio or video recording of the composition is optional.
- Compositions must be composed or arranged by the entrant. Content suspected to be computer-generated (AI) will be disqualified.
- Arrangements must include music in the public domain.
- By completing and submitting an entry form, the entrant understands and agrees if their composition is chosen as a winning composition that Sponsors, anyone acting on behalf of Sponsors, and Sponsors’ licensees, successors, and assigns, shall have the right, where permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity and throughout the World, without limitation, the entrant’s entry, first and last name, composition, story, and statements about the Contest, for news, publicity, information, trade information, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent from the Entrant. By entering this contest, the Entrant represents and warrants that (i) the Entrant has complied with the Contest Requirements and (ii) their entry is an original work of authorship, has not been computer-generated (AI), and does not violate any third party’s proprietary or intellectual property rights. If Sponsors determine, in its sole discretion, that these representations and warranties are not accurate, or that Entrant or the Entry do not meet Contest Requirements, or that the Entrant’s entry infringes upon the intellectual property right of another, the Entrant will be disqualified without further notice. If the content of the entry is claimed to constitute infringement of any proprietary or intellectual proprietary rights of any third party, or the submitted composition has been generated through an AI platform, then the Entrant shall, at their sole expense, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Sponsors, their affiliates and their successors and assigns from and against any suit, proceeding, claims, liability, loss, damage, costs or expense, which an indemnified party may incur, suffer, or be required to pay arising out of such claim.
How the Contest Works
Individuals may enter the Contest in one of two categories: Original Composition or Arrangement of a Traditional Folk Song. Before compositions are shared with the panel of five (5) judges, all identifying information will be hidden from the submissions for judging to take place anonymously.
Before November 30, 2024, submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria (“Criteria”): (i) if the composition can be performed by the age or grade specified on the entry form and is appropriate for the Orff-Schulwerk process, (ii) if the composition is relevant and culturally appropriate for classroom elementary music educators of the age or grade specified on the entry form, and (iii) the originality and ingenuity of the composition. Using the Criteria, the judges will select one (1) Grand Prize winner and one (1) Runner Up from each of the two (2) categories that meet the Contest Requirements, subject to verification of the entrant’s eligibility and compliance with the Official Rules.
Administrator will mail or email, in Administrator’s discretion, notice (the “Notice”) to the selected entrants at the email or mailing address provided in the entrants’ Official Contest entry form. If a Notice is returned, deemed undeliverable, or the selected entrant has not responded within 7 days after Administrator sends the Notice, or if the selected entrant is found to be ineligible or fails to comply with these Official Rules, Administrator may decide, in its sole discretion, that the selected entrant has forfeited the prize, and Administrator may select an alternate winner from eligible entrants. Only after Administrator has determined to its sole satisfaction that an entrant has met all eligibility requirements of the Contest (including, without limitation, the execution and timely return of the Notice) will such individual be declared a “winner” of the Contest. Where a verified winner, Administrator may, at its option, deliver the winner’s prize by shipping, at Administrator’s expense, at the mailing address provided by the winner within 240 days after Administrator determines that the entrant has met all eligibility requirements, complied with the Official Rules and won a prize. In case of dispute as to the identity of any entrant, an entry will be declared made by the registered name and mailing address shown in the Contest entry form. Any potential prize winner may be requested to provide Administrator with proof of identity and compliance with the Contest Requirements satisfactory to Administrator proving that such person is the prize winner and has complied with the Contest Requirements.
Except where prohibited by law, acceptance of a prize shall constitute and signify the winner’s consent that Sponsor, Administrator, and their affiliates may use the winner’s name, likeness, image, composition, voice, photographs, biographical information, address (city and state) and written statements made by the winner about the Contest, Sponsor’s or Administrator’s products and Sponsor or Administrator for promotional purposes, in all forms of media, in perpetuity and without monetary payment or additional consideration. Administrator reserves the right to announce the identity of each Contest prize winner and the prize awarded to each such winner on any of Sponsor’s or Administrator’s marketing platforms such as websites, social sites, or email, or on those of their affiliates.
Any difference between the stated value and the actual value of any prize will not be awarded. If a winner cannot accept prize as stated, the prize may be forfeited. The value associated with a prize may be taxable to the winner as income, and, if so, the winner is solely responsible for any taxes, including, but not limited to, all applicable federal, state and local taxes, that become due with respect to the value of the prize. If the combined, gross proceeds from this and all other prizes over the course of the calendar year, equal or exceed $600, the Sponsor or Administrator is required to report the value of a prize to the Internal Revenue Service in the year that the winner receives the prize, Sponsor or Administrator will report to the prize winner and the Internal Revenue Service in the form of a Form 1099-MISC. If Sponsor or Administrator is required to report the value of a prize to the Internal Revenue Service on Form 1099-MISC, the winner must provide applicable information, such as a social security number, in order to receive the prize. Any and all fees, expenses, service charges, gratuities, and other costs related to acceptance and use of a prize not specifically stated herein are solely the responsibility of the individual prize winner. No prize may be substituted, assigned, transferred, or redeemed for cash, except that Administrator reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to offer a prize winner the option of receiving a cash prize substitute. A winner is responsible for any loss of the prize or damage to the prize after it has been delivered. Administrator will not replace any lost or stolen prizes. Unclaimed and unawarded prizes will not be awarded.
Use of Registration Information
All entrant information (including, without limitation, entrants’ e-mail addresses) is subject to the privacy policies of Sponsors and Administrator. Administrator’s privacy policy is located at https://khs-america.com/privacy-policy/ and Sonor GmbH’s privacy policy is located at https://www.sonor.com/privacy-policy. By entering the Contest, an entrant grants Sponsors, Administrator, and their affiliates the right to use the information provided by the entrant in the Contest entry form to contact the entrant by email, telephone, or mail about the contest. If the entrant has granted consent to receive additional information from the Contest Sponsors, Administrator, or affiliates, the entrant may receive emails in the future. The entrant may opt out of any future correspondence at any time.
Conditions
Sponsors and Administrator are not responsible for errors, omissions, interruptions, deletions, defects, delays in operations or transmissions, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone, computer, hardware or software malfunctions of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of, or failure of Sponsors or Administrator to receive any entry or prize claim information on account of human or technical problems in any combination thereof. Sponsors and Administrator reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest if, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned (including, without limitation, due to infection by computer virus bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsors and Administrator which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest). The Contest is subject to these Official Rules. By entering: (a) participants agree to these Official Rules and the decisions of Administrator, which shall be final and binding in all respects, and waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Contest or these Official Rules; (b) participants release Sponsors and Administrator, their directors, officers, shareholders, employees, affiliates, agents, representatives, vendors and such persons’ directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability for any claims, injuries, losses, costs or damages of any kind caused by participation in the Contest or resulting from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the prizes; and (c) PARTICIPANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SPONSOR, ADMINISTRATOR, AND OTHER RELEASED ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE NEITHER MADE, NOR ARE IN ANY MANNER RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR, ANY WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATIVE TO THE PRIZES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THEIR QUALITY, MECHANICAL CONDITION, OR FITNESS, EXCEPT FOR ANY STANDARD LIMITED WARRANTY OFFERED BY ANY MANUFACTURER OF THE NON-CASH PRIZES. Administrator may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Contest or winning any prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, hacking, multiple entries, deception, or other unfair practices or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other participants or Sponsors’ or Administrator’s agents or representatives.
WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT BY A PARTICIPANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE SPONSORS, ADMINISTRATOR, OR THEIR WEBSITES OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND, SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSORS AND ADMINISTRATOR RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH PARTICIPANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
Issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforce-ability of these Official Rules shall be governed by the laws of the Tennessee. All disputes arising out of or connected with this Contest will be resolved individually, and without resort to class action, exclusively by a state or federal court located in Davidson County, Tennessee and all entrants agree to the personal jurisdiction of and venue in such courts. Should there be a conflict between the laws of the State of Tennessee and any other laws, the conflict will be resolved in favor of the laws of the State of Tennessee. All judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Contest and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages. The Official Rules have not been authorized, issued or approved by any court, official or agency of the United States, any state or other governmental authority or by any lawyer, law firm or insurance or brokerage company.
Winners List / Official Rules
Additional copies of these Official Rules and a list of prize winners, available after December 1, 2024 may be obtained by mailing a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
Sonor Orff Composition Contest
Attn: Tim Henry
KHS America, Inc.
12020 Volunteer Blvd.
Mount Juliet, TN 37122
Vermont residents may omit postage. One request per envelope. All mail requests for a winners’ list must be received by Administrator by January 1, 2025.