Description and Purpose of Event

Competitors in age categories perform two chosen selections from the required repertoire categories. Their performances are open to the public. The winners in age categories 15 – 18 perform and receive their awards at the final round for ages 6 – 14.

Eligibility

Piano students age 15-18 (age determined as of 11:59 p.m. on December 31)

Registration Deadline and Info

January 10, 2024

1. Teachers will receive a registration form via email. Should you need a form, please contact Zhu Zhu at [email protected]

2. Teachers will be notified of audition times two weeks prior to the competition. Due to scheduling difficulties, special requests cannot be honored. Absolutely no changes will be made to the schedule after it has been sent out. Teachers’ schedules will be notified on the week prior to the competition.

Event Fees

$35 per student studying with an HMTA member

$100 per student studying with a non HMTA member

Please make your online payment at the HMTA website.

Or, make one check per studio payable to: HMTA (Houston Music Teachers Association)

Registration Fees must be POSTMARKED no later than Jan. 10, 2024. Registration fees postmarked after this date will not be accepted.

Mail your check to:

Zhu Zhu

5800 Richmond Ave

Houston, TX 77057

Event Requirements and/or Rules

1. All contestants from age 15 to 18 will constitute three separate age categories: age 15, age 16, and age 17-18. Their performances will be open to the public.

2. Repertoire requirements for all three high school students’ age categories are as follows:

   Prepare two selections, one from group A, another from group B, up to the time limit of 10 minutes. Students are allowed but not required to play scales as their warm-up as long as they stay within performance time limit.

   Group A

   • Any baroque pieces above the level of Bach two-part inventions.

   • Any sonata movements, variations, rondos, fantasies, and bagatelles of Beethoven, Haydn or Mozart.

   Group B

   • Any work written by 19th or 20th century composer

3. The competitors must bring the original music; however, their names should not be printed on the books (the music is needed for the judges).

4. Prompt arrival is mandatory. Any contestant who misses his/her assigned audition time will be disqualified.

5. A panel of two judges will be present at the auditions (open to the public). The judges’ decisions are final.

Teachers’ Responsibility: Participating teachers must volunteer to help with the event, and must meet the minimum 5 meeting attendance requirement. See Standing Rules #1 and #6.

Dress Code

Formal Attire

Awards

For age categories 15-18, there will be only one round, and it is open to the public.  Among 1st division winners, only the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be called back for the mandatory performance on the day of the final round for age categories 6-14.

Special awards will be given to performers among the winners of the age categories 15-18 for their outstanding performances of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century compositions. Additionally, three-years-in-a-row participants will be recognized with awards.