Express the Music

Express the Music is a free, cross-curricular competition that authentically integrates creative writing into the English language arts and fine arts curriculums. Celebrating over 20 years in existence, Express the Music invites students grades 6-12 to discover a new orchestral work and respond with prose or poetry inspired by the music. This season, students will explore the exciting finale of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 and respond with stories, essays, and poems that express creative thought and emotion. All entries must be postmarked on or before Friday, January 18, 2019. 

Teacher's Guide 
Inventory Form & Identification Cards

Last season there were 691 entries submitted from 59 schools and 63 finalists. The awards for the top winners in the prose and poetry writing in both the junior (grades 6-9) and senior (grades 10-12) were awarded during intermission in the Youth Orchestra concert on Sunday, March 4, 2018. The top winners received monetary prizes.

2018 Winners 

Junior Prose  

First prize: Alexis Callahan |  Messiah Lutheran School - Grade 8
Second prize: Lanie Reuter | Wydown Middle School - Grade 8
Third prize: Emma Tyulyaev | Twin Oaks Christian School - Grade 7

Junior Poetry     

First prize: Berlynn Hamilton | Messiah Lutheran School - Grade 8
Second prize: Samantha Anderson | Hixson Middle School - Grade 7
Third prize: Ella Funke | St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic School - Grade 8

Senior Prose       

First prize: Chloe Schellman | Parkway South High School, grade 9
Second prize: Melanie Reichert | Lafayette High School, grade 12
Third prize: Isabella M. Volmert | St. Francis Borgia Regional High School, grade 12

Senior Poetry     

First prize: Jack Fletcher | Lindbergh High School - Grade 12
Second prize: Madison Franke | Villa Duchesne High School - Grade 12
Third prize: Roshae Hemmings | Parkway North High School - Grade 12