Etude & Dance Festival Rules & Guidelines
Rules:
1. Open to students of all members in good standing with the MTAC Los Angeles County Branch.
2. Students must enter the Festival according to their age as of November 7, 2026.
3. The Festival is a live, open audition in recital format. Multiple categories may be combined to one program, subject to the number of entries received, but will be separated by instrument.
4. Branch members: Teachers may submit a maximum 2 students per category.
Contributory members: one entry per category is allowed with a maximum of 4 entries for the entire event.
5. MUSIC (NEW!): Choose one or two ETUDES/studies and/or DANCE(s) by any composer listed from the 2025 CM Syllabus Level 3 or higher, to perform within the time limit for each category. One or both of each type of composition may be used.
• DANCES: Refer to the list of dances allowed and not allowed for the Festival. ETUDES: Some etudes/studies use character titles, instead of “Etude,” in the title. Consult with the chair, if necessary, for acceptable music.
6. Music is to be performed by memory. Use of an accompanist for string performances is optional.
7. Original music score(s) with numbered measures must be provided to the judges. Photocopies are not allowed. For digital scores, the student/accompanist must provide a purchase receipt.
• NOTE: Students will not receive any award if the appropriate music score is not provided.
8. Judging criteria: Etudes and dances will be evaluated within their respective genre, with emphasis on musicality and appropriateness rather than comparative technical difficulty.
9. Parents & teachers must honor the current MTAC Recording & Attendance Policy in order to participate in the event.
10. Trophies will be presented at the conclusion of each program. Results will be emailed to the participating teachers within 24 hours, and on the branch website within a week after the event.
11. Winners of each category will receive gift card awards. Honorable mentions, if awarded, will receive rosettes.
• All placements are awarded at the judges’ discretion. The decisions of the judges are final.
Application Guidelines:
1. Online registration period: October 10 through October 25, 2026 at mtaclacounty.org.
2. Parents must submit students’ proof of age & payment online no later than October 25, 2026.
3. Incomplete applications and late payments will not be accepted and refunded.
4. First place winners from the 2026 Etude Festival may not compete again in the same age category.
5. For additional questions, please follow the Line of Communication protocol:
Parents and Students➡ Teacher➡ Event Chair ➡ Branch President
Suggested List of Acceptable Dances
Waltz/Valse March Mazurka Tarantella
Polonaise (except Op. 44, 53, & 61 by F. Chopin)
Tango Minuets Ecossaise
Suite (All composers EXCEPT by J.S. Bach)
Folk Dances (e.g. Spanish, German)
Music from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach
Quasi-dance/Dance Compositions NOT Acceptable for this Event
French, English, & Partitas by J.S. Bach
Ballade Mephisto Waltzes - Liszt
Scherzo Rhapsody Polonaise Op. 44, 53. 61- Chopin
Alla Turca Alla Zingarese
If you have questions regarding music pieces not listed above, consult with the chair before registering.
For PIANO:
| Category |
Age |
Time Limit (minutes) |
App. Fee ($) |
Awards ($) |
| I |
8 and under |
4 |
50 |
55, 50, 45, 40 |
| II |
9 - 10 |
5 |
55 |
60, 55, 50, 45 |
| III |
11 - 12 |
6 |
60 |
65, 60, 55, 50 |
| IV |
13 - 14 |
6 |
60 |
65, 60, 55, 50
|
| V |
15 - 16 |
7 |
65 |
70, 43, 60, 55
|
| VI |
17 - 18 |
8 |
65 |
70, 65, 60, 55
|
For STRINGS:
| Category |
Age |
Time Limit (minutes) |
App. Fee ($) |
Awards ($) |
| I |
8 and under |
4 |
50 |
55, 50, 45, 40 |
| II |
9 - 10 |
5 |
55 |
60, 55, 50, 45 |
| III |
11 - 12 |
6 |
60 |
65, 60, 55, 50 |
| IV |
13 - 14 |
7 |
60 |
65, 60, 55, 50 |
| V |
15 - 18 |
8 |
65 |
70, 65, 60, 55 |