Applications will be open in February 2025

Application ONLINE Deadline: April 5, 2025, 11:59 PM

​

The parent/ legal guardian (if participating student is under the age of 18) or student (if 18 years or older) is to fill out the application form. Please have the following information ready before filling out this application form:

​

• Teacher Name
• Teacher Contact Information
• Teacher MTACOCC Branch Number
• Student Name
• Student Instrument / Vocal Range
• Student Level (for scheduling purposes)
• Student Current Age
• Student Contact Information (Parent/Legal Guardian Contact Information if Student is under age 18)
• Repertoire Information, including:
• Name of Composer
• Name of Piece
• Length of Piece (exact timing in minutes and seconds)
• Accompanist Name (if applicable)
• AM/PM time request
• Comment box  

Performance Time Limit: 5 minutes

Application Fee: $40 for solo performer; $70 for duets

Contemporary Music Festival Rules:

• The Contemporary Festival is open to all repertoire of the 20th and 21st Century composers, and to works of those composers listed in the CM Syllabus as “Transitional: Impressionist /Early 20th Century.”  Ragtime in its original form (not simplified or arranged) is acceptable.  Arrangements and music derived from TV, movies, and other sources are not acceptable.  Musical theatre selections for voice students are ineligible for this festival.  If in doubt, contact the festival chair. A helpful list of transitional composers can be found here: (pdf attachment).

•  The Contemporary Festival is open to all levels of piano, instrumental, and voice students, both solos and ensembles.  Two pianos will only be available for duos with the combination of one grand and one upright piano if the chair is notified in advance. 

• Students will receive awards of medals, ribbons, and certificates based entirely on adjudicators’ decisions.  Students are separated into the following categories:  ages 11 and under, ages 12-14, ages 15-18, adult, and Non-Competitive*.  The top 25% of students in each age category (except for non-competitive) receive 1st Place Medals, the next 25% of students in each category receive 2nd Place Blue Ribbons, the next 25% of students receive Honorable Mention Red Ribbons, and the next 25% receive a Yellow Participation Ribbon. 

• *NEW: The Non-Competitive category is for students who would like to participate solely for the sake of gaining performance experience and to receive helpful feedback from judges. Their performance will only receive comments and not be considered for a prize. 

• NEW: Teachers are limited to 12 students each.  Contributory Members may NOT enter students.

• Students are not allowed to enter two festivals with the same piece. 

• Each student must actually study with the teacher who is entering him/her in the festival, and should have studied with the teacher for six months prior to the festival, unless permission is given by the previous teacher, or the teacher change was necessary because of a geographic move.

• There is a five minute time limit per performer.  Pieces longer than five minutes may be ended by the presider.

• A maximum of two pieces per student are allowed only if they are by the same composer and from the same collection.  Each piece must be under two minutes in length.

• All music must be memorized with the exception of duets, ensembles, and accompaniments.

• Music should be in its original form NOT simplified or transcribed. 

• No concerti will be allowed.

• Grounds for festival disqualification include failure to bring music for the judges, bringing photocopied music, performance of a piece other than the piece entered, and incomplete or inaccurate entry applications.  Accompanists must use the original music (no copies).  

• Teachers are expected to work at the festivals in which they have entered students; failure to do so may result in a monetary fine or other penalties.

• Teachers may not accompany their own students.

• No prepared piano or electronic enhancement is permitted.

• Parents may only videotape their son or daughter’s performance.  Videotaping of the entire recital program will NOT be allowed.        

​

Having your students’ results and prizes mailed:

If teachers are unable to pick-up their students’ awards after the completion of the festival at the branch meeting on May 14, 2025 and wish to have the result packet mailed, please be in contact with the chair. Due to the changing mailing rates, in order to avoid any discrepancies, we will be using pre-paid labels, which you can easily create through usps.com. Please create and email your pre-paid label to the chair. Instructions can be found here: (pdf attachment)

Questions about the MTAC OCC Contemporary Music Festival?