Young Artist Performance Competitions

National Coordinator:
Jeanne Grealish, NCTM


Applications for the Performance and Composition Competitions are no longer being accepted.

 

***ATTENTION***

  • With the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, states have the option in 2020 to hold live or video competitions. Search for your state to verify the type of competition and other details. Entrants are responsible for verifying the format (live or video) prior to entering the competition.
  • The finals of the MTNA Competitions will be a video round.
  • The residency requirements for international students who were unable to return to in-person classes in the U.S., but are continuing to study online with a teacher here.
  • Live accompaniments are preferred for video competitions; however, if entrants are unable meet with accompanists due to state or local orders, prerecorded accompaniments are acceptable.
  • MTNA active membership dues must be paid before submission of the application. A $150 nonmember teacher fee will be assessed if entrant's teacher has not paid active membership dues for the 2020–2021 membership year.
  • Application deadline for Junior, Senior and Young Artist has been extended to Wednesday, September 23, 2020, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. There will be no exceptions.
  • Primary communication is via email. The application must have accurate email addresses for entrant, teacher and parents.
  • Division competitions will be an ONLINE-ONLY VIDEO round. Click here  for the details of the Division competitions process. An additional division video fee of $20 fee will be required for those advancing to the division level. Deadline for video submission to Acceptd is Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The three-tiered Young Artist Performance Competitions begin with live state competitions. With the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, states have the option in 2020 to hold live or video competitions. Search for your state to verify the type of competition and other details.The winners/representatives of each state’s competitions advance to a video-only division competition. All videos will receive comments from the judges. Division winners/representatives will compete in a video round for the national finals.

Application Procedure

  • Age: 19–26 as of January 1, 2021
  • Entry Fee: $120
  • Application deadline is Wednesday, September 23, 2020, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. There will be no exceptions.

Competition Categories

  • Brass (Trumpet, Horn, Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba), Piano, String (Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass), Voice and Woodwind (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone)

Brass, String and Woodwind

Awards made possible by the MTNA Foundation Fund

  • National Winner: $3,000 
  • Second Place: $1,500
  • Third Place: $750
  • Merit Awards: $100

Piano

Awards made possible by Steinway & Sons

  • National Winner: $5,000
  • Second Place: $1,500
  • Third Place: $750
  • Merit Awards: $100

Voice

Awards made possible by the MTNA Foundation Fund

  • National Winner: $3,000 (supported by the Jane Snow Memorial Scholarship Fund)
  • Second Place: $1,500
  • Third Place: $750
  • Merit Awards: $100

Guidelines

See Performance Competitions Guidelines.

Repertoire Requirements

  • No changes in repertoire are allowed following submission of the application. Repertoire must remain the same for all three levels of the competition (State, Division, National).
  • All repertoire submitted with the application must be prepared for each level of the competition (State, Division, National).
  • Programs may be over or under the performance time limit. Programs over the time limit at any level of the competition will be cut at the judges' discretion.

    MTNA Foundation Fund Young Artist Brass
    MTNA Foundation Fund Young Artist String
    MTNA Foundation Fund Young Artist Woodwind

    • The program must contain compositions from at least two different  periods of music (baroque, classical, romantic, impressionistic, contemporary). Transcriptions are allowed.
    • Memorization is not required.
    • Entrants are limited to one entry per category. Brass or Woodwind entrants may perform on any instrument(s) of their choice (e.g. Alto Saxophone/Tenor Saxophone, Tenor Trombone/Bass Trombone and so on).
      Performance time:
      • State Competition:
        • Maximum performance time: thirty (30) minutes
      • Division and National Competitions:
        • Maximum performance time: forty (40) minutes

    MTNA-Steinway & Sons Young Artist Piano

    • The program must contain solo repertoire from at least two different periods of music (baroque, classical, romantic, impressionistic, contemporary). Transcriptions are allowed. 
    • Memorization is required for all repertoire.
    • Concerto performances are not permitted.
    • Compositions using extended techniques (i.e. introducing foreign objects into the workings of the piano to change the sound quality, strumming or plucking of strings) are not permitted at the request of competition hosts and piano companies providing instruments.
      Performance time:
      • State Competition:
        • Maximum performance time: thirty (30) minutes
      • Division and National Competitions:
        • Maximum performance time: forty (40) minutes

    MTNA Foundation Fund Young Artist Voice

    • The program [a minimum of eight (8) selections] must contain repertoire in the original language from each of the following categories: (include the name of any identifying work from which a song or aria is taken).
      • Two (2) arias from opera or oratorio repertoire, sung in the original key
      • German Lied
      • French Mélodie
      • Art song in English written after 1900.
      • At least three (3) additional song(s) or aria(s) of the entrant's choice in the original language or in English translation.
    • Memorization is required for all repertoire.
      Performance time:
      • State Competition:
        • Maximum performance time: thirty (30) minutes
      • Division and National Competitions:
        • Maximum performance time: thirty-five (35) minutes

Applications for the Performance and Composition Competitions are no longer being accepted.