The Cone of Composition was the brainchild of alumni Joe Bolton and Dan Miller. Determined to establish who the better composer was, the pair hosted the first student-run SACM composition competition in 2010. In addition to bragging rights, the winner would be awarded a large pine cone that Miller had stumbled across during a walk in Newlands Forest.

The winner of the previous year chooses the instrumentation for the following year. In 2026, SACM composers were invited to enter a new, original work for Flute, Cello and Marimba.

The composers are:
Marvellous Mahlangu
Kyle Benade
Ash Fuchs

And the ensemble players are:
Aidan Reynolds on flute
Giorgia Ehlers on cello
Langa Dubazana on marimba