Announcing the 2025 Graphic Notation Music Competition Winners

March 28, 2025

six people pose with certificates and music instruments — **From left to right:** Emilia Gonzalez (LSU Libraries Music Resources graduate assistant and competition judge), Victor Emery Gischler (Music Resources graduate assistant, and competition judge), Fiona Ju (First Place), Mikel LeDee (Head of Music Resources), Treya Nash (Third Place), and Drew Farrar (Second Place). Credit: Behnoush Tavasolinia, LSU Libraries

LSU Libraries is excited to announce the winners of the second annual Music in Motion: Graphic Notation Music Competition. This year’s submissions showcased remarkable creativity, blending music and visual artistry to push the boundaries of traditional composition.

2025 Winners

First Place: Fiona Ju – Air in Between Distances
Second Place: Drew Farrar – Ash, Soot, and Other Remnants
Third Place: Treya Nash – Natural Progression

Honorable mentions were awarded to Drew Farrar for 39°22‘40N 89°22’54”W and Karem Ergener for Torn Score.

Open to LSU students of all skill levels, the Graphic Notation Music Competition encourages participants to explore the intersection of music and visual representation. The winning compositions were performed live on February 14, in the lobby of the LSU Library, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience these innovative works brought to life. We applaud all entrants for their imaginative contributions and look forward to hosting another competition next year.

two musicians perform for an audience in the lobby of LSU Main Library — Emilia Gonzalez (cello) and Victor Emery Gischler (violin) perform the winning compositions during the competition concert. Credit: Behnoush Tavasolinia, LSU Libraries

The LSU Libraries includes the LSU Library and the adjacent Hill Memorial Library. Together, the libraries contain more than 4 million volumes and provide additional resources such as expert staff, technology, services, electronic resources, and facilities that advance research, teaching, and learning across every discipline.