Fairfield Chapter of the Connecticut State Music Teachers Association

CONNECTICUT STATE MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
FAIRFIELD CHAPTER
28th ANNUAL STUDENT COMPETITION

COMPETITION
Saturday, January 26, 2013
1:30-7:30PM
The First Congregational Church of Darien
14 Brookside Road, Darien, CT
(SNOW DATE: Sunday, January 29, 1:30-7:30PM, Venue TBA)

WINNERS CIRCLE RECITAL
Saturday, February 2, 2013
3:00 PM
New Canaan Public Library
151 Main Street, New Canaan, CT
(SNOW DATE: Sunday, February 3, 2013)

PLEASE GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES
AND
NOTICE THAT STUDENT MAY ENTER A NON-COMPETITIVE SESSION

1. This year we are adding a non-competitive session in which participants may opt to receive or not receive evaluations of their performances. This session will be ungraded and open on a first-come/first-served basis to the first 10 (ten) applications received. Checks for applicants who are not accepted to participate will be returned to teachers. This non-competitive session will start at 1:30 and run for not more than one hour, due to limitations of time for use of the venue.

2. This Competition is open to students of voice, piano and other instruments.

3. Teachers must be current members of CSMTA Fairfield Chapter in order for students to participate. (Teachers must pay Chapter dues before before the entry deadline for this competition.)

4. The Entrance fee is $40.00 per student, payable to CSMTA/Fairfield Chapter. Each teacher may enter a maximum of 6 (six) students in the Competition; applicants for the non-competitive session will be processed on a first-come/first-served basis. (See #1, above)

5. In order to keep proper decorum and to not interfere the progress of the Competition we suggest that one parent accompany each participant to the competition, and that younger children not be present.

6. The deadline for entry is January 15, 2013. Please send applications and non-refundable entry fees to Debbie Kahan, 143 Hoyt Street #1-0, Stamford, CT 06905. As indicated above, checks for applicants who are not accepted into the non-competitive session WILL be returned to teachers. ALL CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO: CSMTA/Fairfield Chapter.

7. Each Participant must prepare two memorized pieces in contrasting styles and periods (baroque, classical, romantic, impressionist, contemporary or jazz), within the following time limitations:

a) age 6 - 9 7 minutes

b) age 10 - 12 9 minutes

c) age 13 - 15 10 minutes

d) age 16 - 18 12 minutes

8. Participants must supply original versions or acceptable computer-generated versions of their pieces (PianoStreet.com, Carl Fisher CD, Werner Icking Music Archives, IMSLP, Musicalion) for the judges. Selections performed must be published compositions. Transcriptions, arrangements, abridgements, hymns and popular folk songs are not acceptable. Simplified versions of classical pieces are not permitted.

9. Younger students (6 – 9 years of age) may play repeats. However, it is advised that all other participants omit repeats unless absolutely necessary to the style of the selection performed (i.e., for the playing of ornamentation in Baroque music). If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Kahan at paulndeb@optonline.net, Galina Zisk Rothschild at galinazisk@gmail.com or Svitlana Fiorito at svetafiorito@hotmail.com. Judges will have the prerogative to stop participants without penalty if repeated sections are deemed too long.

10. Winners will be determined by the judges, and will comprise a Winners’ Circle. They will be honored at a Winners’ Circle Recital on Sunday afternoon, February 2, 2013 at 3:00 pm at the New Canaan Public Library. (Snow Date: Sunday, Feb. 3 at 3pm)

11. All students who perform in the Competition will be recognized with Certificates of Participation. Winners will receive trophies and perform one of the two winning selections. Honorable Mention recipients will be given Certificates of Merit, but will not be asked to play.

12. At the Winners’ program parents may videotape performances ONLY by their own children, and teachers may videotape performances ONLY by their own students in order to not infringe upon the privacy of participants.

The Competition format will be that of a private audition. The Competition Committee has engaged two outstanding judges who will provide students with comprehensive, instructive and sensitively-written critiques. Teachers will be notified of winners within 24 hours of the conclusion of the Competition. Critiques and certificates will be sent to participants who are not selected as winners. The highest scoring performers will be honored with an invitation to play in the Winners’ Circle Recital and will be presented with certificates and trophies at that time. Recipients of Honorable Mention will be presented with the Certificate of Merit at the Recital.

A Competition experience is invaluable both for students and teachers, so please encourage your students to participate.

Please address any questions you may have regarding this Competition to Co-Chairs:

Debbie Kahan at paulndeb@optonline.net
Galina Zisk at galinazisk@gmail.com
or Svitlana Fiorito at svetafiorito@hotmail.com

SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR ADJUDICATORS

28th ANNUAL WINTER COMPETITION

In evaluating performances, judges will consider the following criteria:

Choice of Music: suitable for ability level of performer.

Technique: use of appropriate skills in performance of selected music.

Style: appropriate performance style for music selected.

Interpretation: appropriate judgment in expression of music performed.

Dynamics: full dynamic range required for music performed.

Tonal Control: ability to maintain tone within a phrase or passage.

Rhythm: ability to maintain correct rhythmic articulation.