In-Person Competition Rules

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• Eligibility: Participants may enter multiple categories and are eligible for both solo and chamber music competitions.

• Repertoire Requirements: The solo program must be a complete movement from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary periods. Transcriptions and arrangements are permitted provided they are legally published.

• No Changes: No changes to the repertoire are permitted once the registration has been submitted.

• Appropriateness: Program selections must be appropriate for the applicant's age and registered division, subject to the adjudicators' discretion.

• Memorization: Memorization is mandatory for all solo instrumental categories. It is not required for chamber music or ensemble categories.

• Accompaniment:

  • Concerto performances must be accompanied by either an audio recording or live acoustic accompaniment.

  • For live solo competitions, a live piano accompaniment is required. Teachers are permitted to accompany their own students.

• Restricted Techniques: Compositions utilizing "extended piano techniques" (e.g., placing foreign objects inside the piano to alter sound, or direct plucking/strumming of strings) are strictly prohibited.

• Copyright and Scores:

  • Participants must comply with all Federal Copyright Laws; photocopies are strictly prohibited.

  • Soloists must provide one original, legally obtained score for the adjudicator. Multiple copies may be needed for the in-person competition. 

  • Measures must be numbered at the beginning of every line.

  • All personal markings must be erased (names do not need to be covered).

  • Duets, Trios, and Ensembles must submit a complete score and provide multiple copies for the judges on the day of the competition.

• Logistics: No rehearsal time will be provided at the venue on the day of the competition. String players must arrive early to ensure their instruments are tuned.

• Performance Duration: The maximum performance time is fifteen (15) minutes. The adjudicator reserves the right to terminate a performance at their discretion; this will not affect the final scoring or evaluation.

 

Video Submission Rules

• Recording Standards: Videos must be unedited (no effects, zooms, titles, or fades) and filmed in a single continuous take. The contestant's face, hands, and feet must remain visible at all times.

• Format: If two pieces are performed, they must be recorded in one take without cuts. Submissions must be uploaded to YouTube (no MIDI files) with high-quality audio.

• Recency: The recording must have been made within six months of the application date.

• Score Alignment: The performance must accurately reflect the submitted PDF score. In the event of discrepancies, the adjudicator will evaluate based on the score.

• YouTube Settings: Videos must be set to "Unlisted" with comments disabled.

• Labeling: YouTube links must be clearly labeled with the Student/Ensemble Name, the Title, and the Composer of the piece.

• Privacy: Only the participant(s) may appear in the video. Each student may submit only one video per category. Every performer must be shown in the ensemble video. 

• The ensemble competition must submit the full score by email to info@musicmatterstoday.org in advance.

 

Repertoire & Performance Regulations

• Selection: Participants must perform one self-chosen work from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Modern periods.

• Performance Details:

  • Soloists must perform from memory.

  • Repetitions should be avoided to stay within time limits.

  • In video submissions, participants may not announce their name or age.

  • A maximum of one work may be performed across all categories.

• Ensembles: Ensembles of more than two performers may play one repertoire selection. Memorization is not required for ensembles.

 

Performance Time Limits

• Elementary & Junior Divisions: Single repertoire choice is limited to 5 minutes.

• Senior & College Divisions: Single repertoire choice is limited to 15 minutes.

• Adjudication: The adjudicator maintains the authority to stop any performance prematurely.

 

Honor Rising Star Concert

• Consistency: Selected winners must perform the same repertoire at the Honor Rising Star Concert at Benaroya Hall.

• Requirement: National competition winners must perform at the concert to be eligible to receive their prize money.

• Chaperone: Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.