Chamber Ensemble Competition 2026

Registration:

Due Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026

General Information:

*ALL QUESTIONS/COMMENTS SHOULD COME FROM TEACHERS ONLY: Email competition@azmusicfest.org*

Parents and students are not allowed to contact Musicfest staff to discuss any portion of the competition.

Teachers should take time to review all of the current Guidelines, and go over these Guidelines with the participating students and their parents.

• Performers must complete the application and submit the registration fee in order to perform. Early application is advised. It is possible that all available slots for performers will be filled before application deadline.
  • The application must include the complete and accurate titles of the pieces to be performed, along with the full composer names, opus/catalog numbers (if applicable), movement designations (if applicable), and key signatures (if applicable).
• Performers must be Arizona residents.
• Performers must be in grades 7 through 12, no younger than 13 (acceptable if student is turning 13 within the school year) and no older than 18 years of age.
• Conflicts may be submitted in the application form’s comments section, but Arizona Musicfest does not guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all conflicts. No conflicts will be accepted after the application deadline.
• To edit your application information after submission, please return to the original confirmation email you received and follow the instructions in that email. No changes are allowed after the application deadline.
• No application refunds will be given in the event of performer withdrawal.
• Each teacher and performer must abide by all requirements and deadlines stated herein. Non-compliance will result in disqualification.

Date & Time:

• The Competition will be held on ________
  • The times in the table below are the estimated window for each division.
    • Divisions may begin earlier or later depending on the number of entrants
    • Exact performance timeslots will be emailed out the week following the application due date.
    • Performers may only perform during their division’s window

Music:

• Music chosen for the competition must be standard literature chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modernist, or Contemporary periods by composers of renown and/or established pedagogical composers. Simplified versions and transcriptions are not accepted.
  • Multiple movements from the work may be entered as one selection.
  • If the performer’s piece(s) exceed the length of the allotted competition time, please note the judges may stop a performance in order to stay on schedule, with no penalty to the performer.
• Memorization is not required.
• Performers must provide three total copies of their score(s):
  • Scores should not have markings that would indicate the performer or teacher’s identities.
  • Score(s) must have measures numbered and cuts marked (if any) so the judges can use them as a reference during the performance.
  • Scores will be checked at the Welcome Table for the above requirements and will be returned directly after the performance.

Location:

• The competition will be held at Arizona Musicfest: 7950 E Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 (Map)
• One piano will be provided. If needed, ensembles must provide their own page turner.

Prizes:

• Up to three ensembles will be awarded cash prizes:
  • First Prize: $450/member
  • Second Prize: $350/member
  • Third Prize: $200/member
• Awarded ensembles may be invited to perform in the Young Musicians Concert Series in the MIM Music Theater.
• Awarded ensembles may receive additional performance opportunities as they are announced.

Adjudication:

• Judges will stop ensembles if their performance exceeds the competition time limits. There is no penalty if an ensemble needs to be stopped for this reason.
• Prizes are awarded at the end of the competition to ensembles who display the highest level of artistic excellence.
• Judges may elect to award Honorable Mentions to ensembles demonstrating high levels of artistry in their performances.
• Judges have the option to withhold prizes.
• All ensemble coaches will receive judges’ comments within a week of the adjudication date.
• Musicfest’s competitions do not have a prescribed scoring system, and thus require that all judges hear all the competition participants to allow for proper verbal deliberation and a fair outcome. Since selective recusal is not allowed, by agreeing to be on this jury panel, the judges agree that they will not submit their own students as competitors. Furthermore, performers are ineligible to participate if they or their principal teacher have a familial relationship with a judge.
• The judges have full discretion over awarding decisions, which are final and cannot be challenged.