The Harmonium Choral Society has announced the winners of its 28th annual high school composition contest.

This year’s first place winner is Gabriel Tarrow from Columbia High School for his composition “Buscándote.” It will be presented at the June 7 and 8 concerts at Morristown United Methodist Church. This is his third time winning the contest. He did so as a freshman with the piece “Wind.” In 2024, he was a runner-up and set a text by Morristown high School poet Hanna Cochran.

Second prize went to Ryan Haberman and Aidan Buneta, who composed “Dreams” together. The are seniors at Hanover Park Regional High School.

“I am in awe of the talent of our student composers and thrilled to be supporting them for 28 years. I am especially happy that we received permission from noted poet Oscar Gonzalez to offer his poem Centroamérica en el corazón to the composers and that it is the winning piece,” Artistic Director Dr. Anne Matlack said, per an official press release.

Judges for the competition include Amanda Harberg, Matthew Harris, Sarah Rimkus, Dr. Trevor Weston, and Matlack.

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