Music academy names composition contest winners

Four students in the Southeast Missouri Music Academy have won top honors in the Music Teachers National Association Composition Contest.

The winners are Tara Craven, Steffan Troxel and Katie Lakner, all of Jackson, Mo., and Catherine Goeke of Cape Girardeau. They advance to regional competition in January in Columbia, Mo. Winners there advance to the national competition.

Craven, the daughter of Bill and Brenda Craven of Jackson, is the state winner in the high school division. Her composition is written for three trombones.

Troxel, the son of Matt and Sherrie Troxel of Jackson, is the state winner in the junior high division. His composition is two movements written for three trumpets.

Goeke, a fifth-grader at Franklin Elementary School, is the daughter of Dr. Christopher Goeke and Lori Shaffer. She is the state winner in the elementary division. Her composition is written for piano.

The music academy is a non-profit organization set up through Southeast Missouri State University's music department.