ELIGIBILITY

Instrumentalists: pre-K to adult students Voice: 14 years old to adult students

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

Two selections, each from a contrasting period — Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, Post-1921. Pianists must play by memory. One movement of a larger work serves as one piece — please do not submit more than one movement for each selection. Applicants may perform a third piece for an extra two Award points. ATTN: If you choose to perform three pieces, one of those pieces needs to be composed Post-1921. No double-bar repeats unless the composition is less than 30 seconds. Repeats with 1st and 2nd endings may be played. Transcriptions are permitted, but simplified arrangements are not accepted.

Instrumentalists are not required to have an accompanist, however you may bring your own or request one of ours if you would like. The fee will be determined by the level of the piece and amount of rehearsal time needed starting at $10. This includes one 15 minute rehearsal and the performance.

EVALUATION ONLY OPTION

Students who wish to play only one piece (with or without music) and pianists performing two pieces while using the music are welcome to audition for an evaluation only. Evaluations will offer detailed comments from the judges, but will not include a grade. These students will be given two Awards points and a participation certificate.

FEES

Less than 8 minutes: District members’ students: $25, Non-NYSMTA members’ students: $30 8-14 Minutes: District members’ students: $30, Non-NYSMTA members’ students: $35 15+ Minutes: District members’ students: $35, Non-NYSMTA members’ students: $40 Late fee: $5 *Please contact the event chairs, Bari Mort and Rie Matsumoto (nysmtadistrict4@gmail.com) for late applications. One time processing fee for Non-NYSMTA member: $75 *Per event

Fee is non-refundable

PAYMENT

IMPORTANT: All applications and payments must come directly from the teacher. No payments from parents will be accepted.
Please list the names of the students in the MESSAGE box at the bottom of the form.
Please consolidate all student fees into one payment on PayPal.

Fee is non-refundable

All teachers who are sending students to this event are required to volunteer. Those who are unable to do so will need to pay a fee of $50, which will enable us to hire outside help.

JUDGES

The panel of judges will be given the student’s age and years of study. Since judges vary in personality and taste and are giving their personal impression of a single performance, there may be substantial differences in evaluations from judge to judge and from season to season.

GRADES AND AWARDS

A numerical grade will be given in addition to a color award. Gold award grades will range from 95 to 99 (with 100 reserved for extraordinary performances); Silver from 90 to 94; Red from 85 to 89; Green from 80 to 84.

Gold and Silver award students will have the opportunity to perform at the District Award Concerts. One concert piece will be chosen by judges from each student’s program.

GUIDELINES FOR GRADES

The judges will be using the following guidelines for the grades and awards:

GOLD (95, 96, 97, 98, 99) – Outstanding performance played with expression, style, technical security and poise. Any missed notes do not disturb the flow. Instrumentalists and vocalists show mastery of intonation. Repertoire is appropriate for age and seasons studied. Both are very well mastered and ready for public performance. Merits 5 points in District Award. Program.

SILVER (90, 91, 92, 93, 94) – Superior performance, well prepared and executed. Perhaps one or two musical or technical elements are not quite mastered, or there is a brief memory or technical slip. Instrumentalists demonstrate a pleasing level of intonation. Merits 4 points in District Award Program.

RED (85, 86, 87, 88, 89) – Commendable performance with moments of beauty. Although there is some work worth noting, student may appear unnerved, or at times perform hesitantly. Instrumentalists and vocalists may show lapses in intonation. Merits 3 points in District Award Program.

GREEN (80, 81, 82, 83, 84) – Pieces are performed with limited awareness of style and little attention to musical and technical elements. Possible memory problems. All three pieces not ready for public performance. Merits 2 points in Award Program.

Questions? Please contact nysmtadistrict4@gmail.com