Strings, Harp, and Guitar Competition

Registration:

Due Date: Sunday, November 10

• Performers must complete the application and submit the registration fee in order to perform.
• Performers must be Arizona residents.
• Performers must be in grades 7 through 12, no younger than 13 and no older than 18 years of age.
• Early submission is advised. It is possible that all available slots for performers will be filled before the end of the application submission period. If all slots are filled before the end of the application submission process, please email competition@azmusicfest.org to be placed on a waiting list.
• No application refunds will be given in the event of performer withdrawal.

Dates & Times:

• The Competition will be held on November 23-24, 2024.
  • The times in the table below are the estimated window for each division. We ask families to please reserve the entire duration of the competition until performers receive their exact timeslot.
  • Divisions may begin earlier or later depending on the number of entrants.
• .Performers will be notified of their exact timeslot the week following the application due date
  • Performers may perform only during their division’s window.
• Performers will be assigned an arrival time that is before their scheduled warm-up time.

Divisions:

Location:

• The competition will be held at Arizona Musicfest: 7950 E Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

Music:

• Music must be standard solo literature from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, or Contemporary periods.
  • Simplified versions & transcriptions are not accepted.
  • Multiple movements from a work may be entered as one selection, so long as the total program does not exceed the allotted time for the respective division (see above).
• Music must be memorized.
• Accompanied pieces must be performed with an accompanist.
  • Performers are responsible for arranging their own accompanist. If assistance finding an accompanist is needed, please email competition@azmusicfest.org.
• 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.

Prizes:

• Up to three performers from each Division may be awarded cash prizes in the amounts detailed below.
• Awarded performers will be invited to perform in the Young Musicians Concert Series in the MIM Music Theater.
• Awarded performers may receive additional performance opportunities as they become available.

Adjudication:

• Judges will stop performers if their performance exceeds the competition time limits. There is no penalty if a performer is stopped for this reason.
• Prizes are awarded at the end of each division to performers who display the highest level of artistic excellence.
• Judges may elect to award Honorable Mentions to performers demonstrating high levels of artistry in their performances.
• Judges have the option to withhold prizes.
• All teachers will receive judges’ comments within a week of the adjudication date.

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Questions? Email competition@azmusicfest.org