Stephanie Laios Composition/Improvisation Festival

Sponsored by GLMTA, PGMTA and MTAB
Members of Music Teachers National Association

If entering students in this event, please read the Recital/Festival Regulations found under the “Policies” tab on this website or scroll down to the bottom of this page to download the same.

The Trophy Form Points must be sent to the Chairperson at the time of entering students. The form is found at the bottom of this page, along with the entry form and regulations. More information about The Laurel Trophy Program can be found on this website.

Stephanie Laios (a student of Ann Matteson) was an early frequent participant in this Festival.   She also was a winner in the Music Teachers National Association’s Composition Competition.  When she passed away at a young age the association named the festival in her honor.   

Co-Chairs:     Deborah White-Bondhus – 410-730-8295 
Ann Matteson — 301-448-2816

Date:              Saturday, October 31, 2026 

Entry Deadline: Thursday, October 9, 2026      Use electronic entry form on
website and e-mail it to Deborah White-Bondhus debbondhus@gmail.com  

Fee:                 No fee for the Festival

Entrants:        No limit to number of students entering per teacher. Each Student will perform only one Composition or improvisation.   

Place:              Laurel Presbyterian Church.  This festival is combined with the Halloween Festival.   A Student performing in both the Halloween and Composition Festival will be scheduled on back to back recitals.

Awards:         Each student will receive a certificate for participation in the recital. 

Composition: Student will submit one piece that is entirely his/her own work. Only clearly written manuscripts by the composer or computer generated manuscripts done by the student are accepted.  Teachers should inspect for legibility and obvious technical mistakes before submission.  STUDENT WILL PERFORM FROM MEMORY (unless approved by chairs). 

Improvisation: A student will perform only one improv.  A very brief outline must be submitted on a separate page which describes the improv (suggestions:  idea for the improv, style, tonality, form, etc.)

                          Please limit improvisations to 3 ½ minutes or less.