Two Columbia classical music composers were selected to participate in the 2026 Missouri Composers Project competition for their new orchestral musical compositions, according to a news release from the MU New Music Initiative.
The competition has two categories: orchestral and choral compositions. Each category is split into two age divisions, “open” and “high school.” The competition is open to composers across the state.
Renan Reis Leme, the current Director of Orchestras at Hickman High School, won the Open Orchestral category for his composition called “Adagio y Fuga Porteña.” Gilbert Gavin Slade Bach, a junior at Rock Bridge High School, earned a honorable mention in the High School Orchestral category for his composition, “Marcia Funebre.”
The two are among four winners and four honorable mentions in the competition.
All of the winning and honorable mention compositions will be performed and professionally recorded by the Columbia Civic Orchestra and Premiere Vocal Artists at 7:30 p.m. on March 8 at Broadway Christian Church in Columbia. The concert is free to attend and open to the public.
The four winners will also receive a $500 honorarium from the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation.