ELIGIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE LEVELS Students throughout the entire East Texas region who are in school grades 3 through 12 (or in the equivalent home school curriculum levels) compete in levels according to their grade in school:

Students should prepare two contrasting pieces from memory. One piece must be from the Baroque or Classical period (or in neo-baroque or neo-classical style).

An original score of each piece performed must be provided for the preliminary round judge. Measures must be numbered ahead of time.

Simplified editions of piano works or piano arrangements of music originally written for other genres may not be used, unless arranged by the original composer.

Participants may choose to perform repertoire more difficult than average for their level; however, they should understand that they will be held to the same standard of preparation expected of others in that level. A more difficult piece will not win if it is prepared less meticulously than other entries.

The fee is $20 per student (non-refundable) with checks payable to:

SFA School of Music

All students will privately perform both of their prepared pieces for a judge, who will critique and select three finalists from each of the performance levels. Students must perform BOTH of their preliminary selections well in order to be chosen as a finalist and advance to the Winners Recital.

Finalists from all levels will perform one selection chosen by the preliminary judge. The finals competition will be team-judged by a jury of three adjudicators.

At the conclusion of the Winners Recital, TROPHIES will be awarded to all place winners in each of the five levels. In addition, the first-place winners of the Advanced II division will receive a $100 CASH AWARD.

Those receiving Honorable Mentions also will be announced at this time and presented CERTIFICATES OF ACHIEVEMENT. All festival participants will receive preliminary-round critiques evaluating their performances.

NOTE: Students, parents and teachers are urged to attend the WINNERS RECITAL AND AWARDS CEREMONY, which will be open to the public. All students receiving Honorable Mention or place awards will be photographed for newspaper release. If you aren't there, you miss out!