Iowa Composers Forum
Annual Student Composers Competition and the
Marilynn Etzel Student Composition Awards
Results from the 2026 Competition
The Iowa Composers Forum is happy to announce the results of the 27th annual Marilynn Etzel Student Composition Competition. Denise Knaack, coordinator of the contest, has released the results of the judging. Judges this year were Paul Dice, composer, President, International Friendship Through the Performing Arts, and Dr. Peter Swanson, Cellist and Composer, Assistant Professor of Music, Benedictine College. The first place winner in each division receives a cash award. Selected winning compositions will be performed at an ICF Event of New Music. The Competition has been named for Marilynn Etzel, long time ICF member and Board member, teacher, and composer. Her impact on young musicians will be remembered for some time!
Middle School Division
1st place ($100) Remembrance, Bittersweet by Haven O’Brien of Bettendorf, Iowa; teacher Laura Crumbleholme.
Honorable mention to Almond Blossom by Max Stalder of Tiffin, Iowa; teacher Lucy Shirley.
College Division
1st place ($200) This Garden of Reverie by Tyler Watkins of Grand Rapids, MI; teacher Jonah Elrod.
Honorable mention to …Yet the Blue Bridge Still Stands by Kaleb Gomez Corder of Holland, MI; teacher Jonah Elrod.
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Previous Winners:
2025
Middle School Division, first place Cowboy Jesse James by Max Stalder; teacher Lucy Shirley
High School Division, first place Tranquility, by Alexander Jones; teacher Laura Crumbleholme
College Division, first place I know of the Fairy Garden, by Noah Durlam; teacher Jonah Elrod
2024
Middle School Division, first place “Sailor Pig” by Peter Gavrusev-Kortenkamp; teachers Kathryn Swinbank, Lauree Christman, and Mary Neumann.
High School Division, first place “Sailorville” by Adalyn Sidon; teacher Jennifer Luft
High School, Honorable Mention “Piano Duo in B Minor” by Alex Jones; teacher Laura Crumbleholme
College Division, first place “A Sad Bird Still Sings” by Sean Kiefer; teacher Michael Conrad
College, Honorable Mention “A Postulate So Intrepid” by Alexander Poutous; teacher Jonah Elrod
2023
Middle School Division, first place “The Forest of Sihir” by Pacey Kane; teachers Nicolas Propes and Ashley Knobloch
Middle School, Honorable Mention “Journey to the Top (and back again)” by Bailey Callahan; teacher Amie Callahan
High School Division, first place “Invocation No. 3” by Jacob Newton; teacher Dr. Réne Lecuona
College Division, first place “Cyber Kitty MK-5” by Alexander Poutous; teacher Jonah Elrod
College Division, Honorable Mention “Beans on Rye” by May Smith; teacher Jonah Elrod
2022
Middle School Division, first place “Brass Quartet in E-Flat Major” by Ethan Peterson, teacher Dr. Perry Mears
High School Division, first place “Asymmetry Prelude” by Lucas Zaehringer, teacher Richard Sessler
College Division, first place “Toy Box Suite” by Evan Erickson, teacher Tracey Rush
2021
Robert Majchrzak; teacher Perry Mears
Palmer LeVake; teacher Joshua Reznicow
Eric Kennedy; teacher Jonah Elrod
K.G.M. Muehring, honorable mention; teacher Luke Flynn
Lucas Zaehringer, honorable mention; teacher Richard Sessler
Brock Royle, honorable mention; teacher Joshua Reznicow
2020
Robert Majchrzak; teacher Perry Mears
Katie Bellows; teacher Michael Kimber
Evan Erickson; teacher Amy Dunker
2019
Kaelan Minett; teacher Bonnie Johansen-Werner
Jesus Pena; teacher Nicole Cody
Isaac R. Smith; teacher Jonathan Schwabe
2018
Zachary Randell; teacher Bonnie Johansen-Werner
Aaron Levin; teacher Eric McIntyre
2015
Ashley Kendrick; teacher Ralph Kendrick
Roberto Gemignani; teacher Jeffrey Prater
Rachel Bieker; teacher Bonnie Johansen-Werner
Jeremy Maas; teacher Brooke Joyce
Thomas Kodron; teacher Bonnie Johansen-Werner
Calyton Dryden, honorable mention; teacher Ralph Kendrick
Randy Wells; teacher Alan Schmitz
2014
Zachary Kendrick; teacher Ralph Kendrick
Ashley Kendrick; teacher Ralph Kendrick
Oisin Leopold; teacher Joshua Marquez
Nathanael Schatz; teacher Tracey Rush
Clayton Dryden; teacher Ralph Kendrick
Maddie Christensen, honorable mention; teacher Donna Washburn
Michaela Gyure, honorable mention; teacher Myron Peterson
Roberto Gemignani, honorable mention; teacher Jeffrey Prater
Mlan Chen; teacher Roger Bergs
2009
Jordan Droegmiller, honorable mention; teacher Denise Knaack
Aaron Nicolaisen, honorable mention; teacher Denise Knaack
2008
Jordan Volkert; teacher Denise Knaack
2007
Emilee Droegmiller, honorable mention; teacher Denise Knaack
Cheyanne Porter, honorable mention; teacher Denise Knaack
2005
Kari Ludvigson, Katie Foley, Emily Reinking; teacher Denise Knaack
2003
Stephanie Shever; teacher Denise Knaack
2002
Katie Carnes, Andy Fick; teacher Rebecca Meyer
2001
Katie Carnes; teacher Denise Knaack
1997
Sarah Carnes; teacher Denise Knaack
1995
Carly Tyler; teacher Denise Knaack
1994
Amy Anfinson; teacher Denise Knaack