North Carolina Music Teachers Association (NCMTA)
Piano Performance Festival (PPF)
What Students perform three memorized solo piano works for a judge. They receive a rating (Highest Honors, Merit, Comments Only), comments, and a certificate of participation. Repertoire is chosen from a required list in four different levels (Junior A, Junior B, Senior A, and Senior B). Each piece must be from a different style period: one piece each from the 18th, 19th, and 20th/21st Centuries. Students in Junior B, Senior A, or Senior B divisions who receive a Highest Honors rating in the District PPF advance to the State PPF. Students who receive a Highest Honors rating there are invited to perform at an Honors Recital the day of the State PPF. In addition, Senior A and Senior B students who receive a Highest Honors rating at the State PPF are invited to perform in an Honors Recital at the NCMTA Conference in October.
Who Any student, high school senior or younger.
Level Intermediate to Advanced.
When District PPF is typically held the last Saturday of February. State PPF typically held late March-early April.
Entry Fee $20.
For current repertoire lists, regulations, and registration, visit the North Carolina Music Teachers Association website at www.ncmta.org.
North Carolina Music Teachers Association (NCMTA)
Piano Duet Performance Festival (PDPF)
What Piano duet teams perform two or more contrasting duets of their choice for a judge. They receive a rating (Highest Honors, Merit, Comments Only), comments, and certificates of participation. Memorization is NOT required. Junior and Senior PDPF entrants earning a Highest Honors rating at the District level advance to the State PDPF. Teams who receive a Highest Honors rating there are invited to perform at an Honors Recital the day of the State PDPF. A limited number of the State PDPF teams earning a Highest Honors rating will be selected by the judges to perform in an Honors Recital at the NCMTA Conference in October.
Who Elementary (ages 6-10), Junior (ages 11-14), and Senior (ages 15-18). The level is determined by the age of the older duet performer.
Level Elementary to Advanced.
When Held concurrently with the District and State Piano Performance Festivals. Students may enter both the PPF and the PDPPF.
Entry Fee $30/duet team.
For current regulations and registration, visit the North Carolina Music Teachers Association website at www.ncmta.org.
Scholarship Auditions
What Students prepare a program to demonstrate proficiency in repertoire (three memorized solo piano works from contrasting style periods), keyboard skills (scales, cadence chords, arpeggi), sight-reading, and form/history/style knowledge (dertermined in an oral interview given by the judge). Audition time slots are 30 minutes for Level I, and 40 minutes for Level II. Winners receive a monetary award and perform in a winners recital.
Who Any student age 11-18 (Level I ages 11-14, Level II ages 15-18).
Level Late Intermediate to Advanced.
When Typically held a weekend in February.
Entry Fee $30 per student.
Sunday Musicales
What Recitals featuring students of RPTA members. Each RPTA teacher may enter one or two students for each musicale, but may not use the same student more than once a year. Solo repertoire must be memorized, but scores are allowed for ensemble performances. Repertoire must not exceede time limits based on the student's level.
Who Any student high school senior or younger.
Level All levels, Beginner to Advanced.
When Sunday afternoons at 3pm. Two musicales are held the year of Ensemble Festival, and three musicales are held the years of no Ensemble Festival. Musicale dates and entry deadlines are posted on the Calendar page.
Entry Fee None.
Ensemble Festival
What Students perform ensemble works for piano duet, duo, or trio. Teachers select the ensemble music for their own studios and may collaborate with other teachers to fill as many of the parts as possible. Score use is permitted, and although there is no required repertoire list, a recommended repertoire list is available. Time limits apply to all ensemble groups.
Who Any student high school senior age or younger who has had at least two years of piano instruction.
Level Late Elementary to Advanced.
When Ensemble Festival is held every other year, typically in January or February. A mandatory Saturday dress rehearsal is followed by a Sunday afternoon performance.
Entry Fee $10 per student.