Mixed up about which event is which?
ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal School of Music) Examinations: Theory exams in November, March or June. Practical exams in October or May. Comprehensive, rigorous evaluations for repertoire, technical skills and theory. Online registration for one-on-one exam with adjudicator. Pieces do not have to be memorized.
Bach Festival (Seattle International Piano Festivals) Competitive festival held in the fall, with repertoire centered on Bach and other Baroque composers. Students perform memorized pieces in a concert format. Written comments, plus opportunities to earn honors and awards.
Classical Viennese Festival (Seattle International Piano Festivals) Competitive festival in early spring, repertoire centered on Mozart, Beethoven and other Classical composers. Students perform from memory, in a concert format. Written comments, plus opportunities to earn honors and awards
Overlake Music Club "Gold Cup" Junior Festival (National Federation of Music Clubs): early March. Play 2 memorized pieces in a small group setting. Receive written comments. Points are earned for gold trophy cups. Recital format, with pauses for adjudication. Theory exams, duet and concerto events are also offered.
Studio Recitals: Full, formal studio recitals in December, late January and June. Students perform for an enthusiastic audience of family and friends.
National Guild Auditions: Early June, in West Seattle. Detailed evaluations of repertoire and keyboard patterns. One-on-one exam with adjudicator. 2-20 pieces may be performed. Program performed from memory, unless sightreading or transposition is tested.
Music Artistry Program (formerly WSMTA Adjudications): late February. Master class format. Play 2 pieces for a short, open lesson, and also receive written comments. Students need not perform from memory. LWMTA's MAP Recognition Recital, provides a student showcase the following week.
Musical Gift Recitals Dates TBA. These monthly programs are held at different retirement homes across the Eastside. 1 hour of community service may be earned for participation in one of the recitals. Music does not need to be memorized.
Music Literacy Exams (formerly WSMTA Musicianship Exams), late April. Graded theory exams, offered by Washington State Music Teachers Association.
PAFE -- Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside: mid-April. Play 2 memorized pieces, Master class format. Receive mini-lesson adjudication, written comments, and opportunity to earn honors. Concerto class may be added to solo program.
Snelling Competition: Late March, shortly after Overlake Music Club's Junior Festival. Play 2 memorized pieces for cash awards and honors. Prerequisite: NFMC Jr. Festival. 3 Divisions: grades 4-6, 7-9, 10-12. Concert format.
Seattle Young Artists Music Festival: Held during UW’s spring break late March. Play 1-4 memorized pieces. Master class format. Receive mini-lesson adjudication, written comments, and opportunity to earn honors.
Virtuoso Festival (Seattle International Piano Festivals) competitive festival in late spring. Repertoire centered on Romantic and Impressionistic composers. Students perform from memory in a concert format. Written comments, plus opportunities to earn honors and awards
LWMTA Young Composers Concert: Students perform their original compositions for friends and family. Compositions must be submitted with standard musical notation. Each performer will receive a souvenir booklet containing all the compositions, plus original artwork if desired.
WSMTA Young Composers Project and Competition -- February entry deadline. All students receive written comments, and Adjudicators select a first, second and third place composition for each grade level. First place winners are invited to perform their compositions at the WSMTA Conference in June.