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It's time for the annual Young Composers Christmas Music Event! The Brief Same as ever year - write anything inspired by a winter celebration (e.g. Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa) or just Winter in general (or Summer for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere). If you want to participate, pop a comment below! You could have a look at last year's competition for inspiration if you like: As usual there are no prizes and everyone's a winner. You will however, be rewarded with a beautiful badge designed by our very own @PeterthePapercomPoser. Submissions are open now (8th December). Submissions will be included in this thread. There is no deadline, though preferably your piece should be done before Christmas or at least before the end of December. What are you waiting for? Get composing!

Well, it's good to persevere. Does it really matter how original you are? Looking at your profile you have a good range of "favourite" composers. Would more listening at perhaps a slightly broader range help, noting you like the Impressionists as well as Romantic? In a way I feel your pain. I can "do" music, went through species counterpoint and harmony (voice leading), have a good ear (the old "You whistle it and I'll play it joke") College did more harm than good so I turned to a different profession and never took music seriously. Can also appreciate stresses of work and a smaller extent family. I've also developed resentment towards cut and paste film music and the ridiculous tinkling of music that's forced on us with every TV documentary and ad. I'm sure much of it is composed by computer but having done a couple of commercial things find it too easy to throw together a few minutes' dross. None of this helps with serious composition. But let's keep on trying. Here and there something good comes of it. All the best with your endeavours.

You should see the garbage Christmas music I've submitted lol. Anything you want is fine, this is lighthearted and fun.

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I think I'm going to participate! Would a sax quartet tounge-in-cheek version of Sleigh Ride be acceptable? Thank you!

Dude, this is cool! I'm loving the Afro-American Jazz era-style chord voicings here. The use of Grace notes to accentuate the melody and countermelodies beneath it works well. Creative chord progressions, and powerful transition choices. I also heard you've got good skill with balancing and giving each section of the orchestra a "featured" moment within the work. Which is always appreciated by live orchestral groups, for sure. (I'd know! I used to play in one! Loved getting me a Trumpet solo that ended on a high D6 or D#6. Those notes, specifically, when played well by a trumpeter will just ring out and resonate well after the player cuts off. Love those moments, in my previous experiences. anyway, I got off track. ADHD brain.) Overall, I don't think you've done a bad job here at all man. Props to you for getting out of your comfort zone to try doing orchestra work again. You have a knack for it, like many others on this platform do! 🙂 You fit right in, brother.