2025 Revere Award Guidelines

2025 Paul Revere Awards Submission Guidelines

SUBMISSIONS DUE MAY 30!

Please read these submission guidelines carefully.

NOTE: we are asking that member publishers submit scores both physically and digitally. If this is a problem for you or if you experience difficulties with the form please contact Brittain Ashford at [email protected].

For the first time, the MPA is offering a discounted rate for first time applicants and new members*  to submit three scores. If you think this applies to you, get in touch for your discounted payment link!

Awards will be presented at our Annual Awards Luncheon on September 18, 2025 in New York City.

*”New member” constitutes any member who joined between 2020 and 2025.

ELIGIBILITY PROCEDURE

All member companies in good standing are eligible.

Any publication originating in the USA and produced for general distribution, sales or rental, through regular channels between April 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025 is eligible, provided it has not been previously submitted. 

 

CRITERIA for NOTESETTING AWARDS  

  • Notesetting follows conventional rules but allows for innovations and exceptions where they improve the readability of the music
  • Notesetting is neither overcrowded nor overspaced, maintaining sufficient white space on the page in relation to the music
  • Vertical alignment of staves and systems is maintained, and choice of staff size is appropriate
  • Choice of text and music fonts is aesthetically and pragmatically planned
  • Cues and other clarifying marks are used to effectively facilitate performance
  • Notes are spaced in aesthetic proportion to their duration
  • Layout accommodates the need for page turns
  • Binding is of sufficient quality

  

CRITERIA for DESIGN AWARDS 

  • Originality and conception is valued
  • Impact and relevance of art to the musical content will be considered
  • Balance of symmetrical and asymmetrical elements
  • Harmonious balance between typefaces and styles, design and color
  • If submitting for the Interactive category, judges will assess how easy & functional the work is within the app

If you haven’t watched it, we invite you to reference this humorous video regarding cover & book design, created by one of our Design Judges.

 

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA for EDUCATIONAL AWARDS  

For educational content in engraving & design categories, in addition to the points above:

  • Content is appropriate for the intended audience
  • Content is well organized, providing the best possible communication to the student(s)

 

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR!

  • Bad page turns
  • Not enough ink coverage
  • Inconsistent note duration
  • Missing dynamics
  • Missing accidentals
  • Missing or misusing articulations
  • Improper beaming
  • Typos

 

PUBLICATION CATEGORIES 

Design

1A Cover Design
1B Book Design
1C Video & Interactive: Instructional & Educational 

Notation

2A Choral Music
2B Classroom & Instructional Method; Lessons, Scales, Theory, Classroom, Workbook
2C Keyboard Music; Piano, Organ, Accordion, Synth
2D Music for Fretted Instruments; Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo, Lute
2E Percussion & Drum; Kit, Hand Drums, Handbells, Marimba
2F Piano/Vocal Music
2G Full & Study Scores, Including Conductor’s Scores
2H Instrumental Solos, with Accompaniment 
2I Instrumental Solos, without Accompaniment 
2J Chamber Ensemble, Score & Parts (for three or more instruments)
2K Band, Orchestra & Large Ensemble, Score & Parts 
2L Non-traditional Notation, Including interactive elements

While you may submit a single publication for judging in more than one category, please note: only one category code per title is allowed.

Not sure where your score fits? Send an email to MPA Director Brittain Ashford @ [email protected].

 

JUDGING and AWARDS 

  • Each dues paying publisher may submit up to SIX entries
  • Scores must be submitted electronically via the online form as well as physically mailed 
  • Judges will be selected by the Revere Awards Committee
  • Awards will be announced at the MPA Awards Luncheon on September 18, 2025
  • Decisions of the judges will be final

 

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

  •  A fee of $70 must be submitted with each application, which covers up to SIX submissions per MPA member publisher
  • Each publisher may only submit one application
  • Entry forms must be submitted (and scores scheduled to arrive) no later than MAY 30
  • Fill out the Registration Form online and submit digital copies of your scores, cover jpgs, and payment

 

  • Mail your physical scores to:

CONCORD
ATTN: STEVEN LANKENAU / MPA REVERE AWARDS
250 West 57th St, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10107 USA
212-699-6588

TAKE ME TO THE APPLICATION

 

IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING SUBMISSIONS

  • Submit PDFs without watermarks so that our judges may evaluate without distraction
  • If a score is submitted in two categories (ex: Cover Design AND a notation category) that would be two submissions
  • Publishers are asked to include a thumbnail of cover art in jpg format
  • Publishers agree to grant permission to having one page of the score displayed at the streaming awards and/or online 
  • Category: reference the category codes included under “Publication Categories.” For example: 1A, 2B, 2C, etc. 
  • Judges reserve the right to re-categorize entries
  • Copyright: Reference both the Date and Owner of the copyright (if different from the publisher) 
  • INPUT NAMES, TITLES and OTHER INFO as they should appear on winning certificates and on the MPA website–check and then check again!

Please plan to join us at our Awards Luncheon on September 18, 2025 in New York City.

 

If you’ve read the instructions and are ready to apply, click HERE for the online form.