Three Ancient Muses
Competitions
Fall
Crescendo Festivals Inc. Crescendo International Music Competition
First Round - Audition: December
Audition locations: Westminster Choir College
Caldwel University
Second Round - Recital: January-February
Recital location: Carnegie Hall
One memorized piece is played for a judge. Age, number of years studied, and level of difficulty of piece are considered in addition to the quality of the performance. Students earn points and are ranked into various recital groups for the second round and placed into age groups. 1st and 2nd place recital category winners pay a recital fee to play at Carnegie Hall in the second round of competition. Participation in the second round is required to receive a certificate. Parents will have the option to buy a photo taken by a professional photographer. Winners of "Best Performance" in the age group at the second round receive small cash prizes. Large cash prizes are also awarded to top performers in the event. All ages, instruments, and solo/duet/ensemble are welcome. The time limit is 6 minutes. No method book repertoire.
Student Tip: When checking in, it is helpful to have the parents wait in the registration line while the kids go warm up.
Link: Crescendo Festival Website
Cecilian Music Club Young Artist Competition
Audition: October
Location: Westminster Choir College
Winners Recital: December
Location: NJ Performing Arts Center (PAC), Victoria Hall
Students present one memorized piece to a judge which will be given a score. Top scores are eligible to play in the Winners Recital. If selected, a recital fee is due to play at Victoria Hall. Participation in the Recital is required to receive a certificate. All ages are welcome, but the minimum level of difficulty is a Clementi Sonatina (think ABRSM grade 3, Piano Adventures grade 4, PTF level 4). The time limit is 4 minutes, 30 seconds.
Link: Cecilian Music Club Website
Winter
Crescendo Festivals Inc. Little Mozarts Competition
1st Round - Audition: Winter
Location: Westminster Choir College
2nd Round - Winners Recital: Winter
Location: A venue in New York City
Students present one memorized piece to a judge. Based on the score received, students are placed into a winning category. Depending on the category, students will then go on to play in a New York City venue recital. A recital fee is required, and participation in the Recital is required to receive a certificate. Parents will have the option to buy a photo taken by a professional photographer. This event is open to ages 3-14. All instruments and duets are welcome. Method book music is allowed. The time limit is 6 minutes. No Für Elise or Moonlight Sonata.
Link: Crescendo Festival Website
Music-Fest Rising Talents Competition
Audition - Live: February in Princeton & March in Pine Brook
Audition - Video: Send a YouTube link via email, and copy of music by regular mail.
Winners Recital: A venue in New York City in April or May
Students present one memorized piece of less than 8 minutes in length. Based on their audition, students are assigned to a recital level: Grand Prix, Grand Prize, Gold, and Silver. Concerts at the Grand Prize, Gold, and Silver levels will be no longer than an hour and a half. All participants in Winner Recitals will receive a trophy and certificate.
Radda Rise Competition Series Radda Rise Piano Achievement Festival (all virtual)
Audition - Round 1: Application with video, final deadline December 1
Audition - round 2: 6 weeks after initial submission, final video due
Results: January 2023. Superior/Superior+ posted on Radda Website
Students present up to 10 minutes of music via video, memorization not required, for review by a judge. Based on that feedback, improvements are made over the course of 6 weeks. A second video is created and submitted for a ranking of Good to Superior+.
Link: https://www.raddaconnect.com/2022-radda-rise-piano-achievement-festival
Spring
The Princeton Festival Piano Competition
Preliminary Rounds: A Saturday in early June
Final Round: The next day
Location: TBA
Students select one of three pieces from a syllabus based on age group. Music is memorized and played for a judge in front of an audience. Three students from each age group are chosen at the end of the preliminary round to move on to the Final Round where one winner per age group is selected. Winners receive a cash prize.
Cecilian Music Club Cecilian Award Competition
Audition: A Sunday in April/May
Location: TBA
Winners' Recitals: A Sunday in May at 2:00 or 4:30 Location: Wilson Auditorium
Monmouth University
400 Cedar Avenue
West Long Branch NJ 07764
A memorized piece of less than 5 minutes is played for 3 judges. Each judge will rate students on their playing and performance. A score of up to 60 points is received from each judge. The combined score results in a ranking or gold, silver, or none. A total of 105 points must be earned to achieve gold ranking. There is a strictly enforced dress code. Improper attire will result in a demotion of standing, regardless of the score achieved.
All ages, levels, and instruments are invited to participate. All music must be "Classical," that is to say, one of the four major periods of music: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century. No method books, arrangements, or jazz is allowed.
Winning recipients will receive a certificate and medallion at the winners' recital, and judges’ comments in the mail. If gold or silver is not awarded, you are not a winner, but you will still receive the judges’ comments. Performance at the Winners' Recital is required to receive the certificate and medallion, and there is a separate recital fee due after the Audition but before the Recital.
Link: Cecilian Music Club Website