Etude Festival Rules & Guidelines
1. Open to keyboard and string students of active, provisional or student members of the MTAC Los Angeles County Branch. Contributory members are also welcome.
2. Student must have studied with their current teacher for at least 6 months, unless by consent of their former teacher.
3. Students must enter the Festival according to their age as of November 9, 2024.
4. The Festival is an open live audition, recital format. Recitals will be separated by instrument and age category. Teachers will be notified of the recital time(s) at least a week before the event.
5. Teachers may submit a maximum of three students per category. *updated 10.24.24, there are no limits of students. Email notifications to teachers regarding student program schedules will be sent at least one week before the event. There are no exceptions.
6. Contributory members: One entry per category is allowed with a maximum of 3 entries for the event.
7. MUSIC: Choose one or two etudes or studies by any composer eligible from the current CM Syllabus Level 3 or higher, to perform within the time limit for each category. If over the limit, the student may be stopped. Etudes that sound more like a technical exercise rather than a music composition are discouraged but not denied. Refer to the suggested list of composers below. Any piece with the word “Etude” in the title is also acceptable, however, there are other etudes/studies that are named using character titles.
8. Original music score with numbered measures must be provided to the judges. Photocopies are not allowed!
• NOTE: Students will not receive an award if the appropriate music score is not provided.
9. Music is to be performed by memory. Use of an accompanist for strings is optional. The student’s instructor, however, cannot be the accompanist.
10. Parents & teachers must adhere to the MTAC Recording & Attendance Policy in order to participate in the event.
11. Participation trophies will be presented at the conclusion of each category.
12. All participating teachers will receive the results via email from the chair within 24 hours after the conclusion of the Festival.
13. Winners of each category will receive gift card awards. All winners & honorable mentions are awarded at the judges’ discretion. Not all placements may be awarded. All judges’ decisions are final.
14. Parents must upload a proof of age document and submit payment no later than the deadline date.
15. Late/incomplete applications and payments will be rejected.
For PIANO:
| Category |
Age |
TimeLimit |
App. Fee ($) |
Awards ($) |
| 1 |
10 and under |
5 mins |
40 |
55, 50, 45 |
| 2 |
11 - 13 |
6 mins |
45 |
60, 55, 50 |
| 3 |
14 - 16 |
7 mins |
50 |
65, 60, 55 |
| 4 |
17 - 19 |
8 mins |
55 |
70, 65, 60 |
For STRINGS:
| Category |
Age |
Time Limit |
App. Fee ($) |
Awards ($) |
| 1 |
10 and under |
5 mins |
40 |
60, 55, 50 |
| 2 |
11 -13 |
6 mins |
45 |
65, 60, 55 |
| 3 |
14 - 16 |
7 mins |
50 |
70, 65, 60 |
| 4 |
17 - 19 |
8 mins |
55 |
75, 70, 65 |