Welcome to the Iowa Composers Forum

The home of new music in Iowa

Our organization promotes the creation and performance of new concert music of all styles by composers of all ages.

If you are a composer, performer, or avid listener, we would like to be a resource for you and introduce you to the wonderful contemporary music making that happens in our state.

Opportunities & Upcoming Events

ICF Student Composer Competition

featuring the

Marilynn Etzel Student Composition Awards

Submissions are due June 1, 2026

Composers must be either students who live in the State of Iowa, are students of current ICF members, or are already student members of ICF.

Composers who submit will automatically receive free full-membership in the Iowa Composers Forum for one year.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category:

—Middle School

—High School

—College

Coming Soon!

ICF 2026 Festival of New Music

Dubuque, IA

Fall, 2026

Members of ICF will be able to submit to a call for scores for this opportunity. Stay tuned for more details!

Rolling Hills Chamber Music Festival

Ames, IA

August 8, 2026

Submissions are due by April 30, 2026

Members of ICF are eligible to submit to our call for scores.

Category 1: Pieces for guest artists. Solos, duets, or trios for a combination of flute (1), clarinet (1), violin (1), and piano (1).

Category 2: Composers provide their own performers.

Featured Videos from our 2024 Festival of New Music

Pynes, for flute and piano (2016), by James Romig.

Spring Rounds (20230, for flute, clarinet, violin, and cello, by Timothy Kramer.

And Unto Dust (2014), for mixed ensemble and electronics, by David Vayo. Performed by the Center for New Music, University of Iowa School of Music.

DONATE

The Iowa Composers Forum operates primarily through membership dues and from donors like you!

Please consider donating to our organization by clicking on the button below. Thank you!

You may also write a check payable to “Iowa Composers Forum” and mail it to:

Iowa Composers Forum

c/o Craig Hultgren

1268 Coon Creek Road

Decorah, IA 52101