Performance Contest

Description and Purpose of Event

The TMTA SA Performance Contest is the premier event for students who wish to perform and compete at the highest level. It provides young artists an opportunity to showcase solo and/or concerto repertoire. Competitors must prepare a program of varied pieces to be performed from memory in front of multiple judges. The HMTA Performance Contest is held in February and is designed to select the best students who will represent our organization on the state level. Chosen students will compete at the regional level in March 2027. The winners of the regional round will participate in Semi-Finals and Finals in the State contest at the annual TMTA Convention on June 17-20, 2027, with top awards obtaining monetary prizes. Categories include Piano Solo, Piano Concerto, Vocal Solo, and Orchestral Instruments Solo.

Eligibility

7th-12th grade, and post 12th grade (Young Artists)

Entrants must be SA members [and fulfill the theory test requirement for 2026-27.]

Division Age Cutoffs:

Students in Junior and Senior Divisions will use chronological age (birthdate as of September 1) to determine eligibility for TMTA Performance Contests through high school graduation.

• Junior Division 1 (students who are age 12 on Sept. 1, 2026)
• Junior Division 2 (students who are age 13 on Sept. 1, 2026)
• Senior Division 1 (students who are age 14 on Sept. 1, 2026)
• Senior Division 2 (students who are age 15 on Sept. 1, 2026)
• Senior Division 3 (students who are age 16 on Sept. 1, 2026)
• Senior Division 4 (students who are age 17 or above and still in high school on Sept. 1, 2026)

Contest Categories:

1. Orchestral Instruments and Classical Guitar Solo: Junior Division 1, Junior Division 2, Senior Division 1, Senior Division 2, Senior Division 3, Senior Division 4, Young Artist
2. Organ Solo: Junior Division 1, Junior Division 2, Senior Division 1, Senior Division 2, Senior Division 3, Senior Division 4, Young Artist
3. Piano Solo: Junior Division 1, Junior Division 2, Senior Division 1, Senior Division 2, Senior Division 3, Senior Division 4, Young Artist
4. Piano Concerto: Senior Division 1/2, Senior Division 3/4
5. Vocal Solo: Junior Division 1, Junior Division 2, Senior Division 1, Senior Division 2, Senior Division 3, Senior Division 4, Young Artist

[1. Orchestral Instruments and Classical Guitar Solo: Grades 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, Young Artist

2. Organ Solo: Grades 9-10, 11-12, Young Artist

3. Piano Solo: Grades 7,8, 9,10, 11,12, Young Artist

4. Piano Concerto: Grades 9-10, 11-12

5. Vocal Solo: Grades 9-10, 11-12, Young Artist]

Registration Deadline and Info

The registration deadline is Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (December Meeting).

[To register your students, please use the registration form linked here.]

Event Fees

$52 per student / discounted rate of $50 per student when paying via Zelle or Check (solo or concerto entry).

Click the button at the bottom of this page to fill out and submit registration form for Baroque Competition (step 1), AND to pay registration fee (step 2). Please ensure that you do not close your window before finishing the checkout process, as your registration will remain incomplete.

Event Requirements and/or Rules

Repertoire Requirements: [Any standard classical repertoire selection, one or several pieces within the time limit.] All music (including cadenzas) must be published and copyrighted. No teaching pieces. Please refer to the TMTA handbook and website for detailed requirements.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Contest Expectations: Students should not enter their local or district contests unless it is their intent to compete at the state level.

Event Rules:

1. No student may reenter a category in which he/she was declared a 1st place winner in a previous year.

2. All music must be memorized (except for organists).

3. An original score without identifying marks, with measures numbered must be provided to the chair for approval prior to the event.

4. Each entrant must be currently studying with an HMTA member in the category entered and must have been studying with that teacher for at least 6 months (or one semester in the case of post – 12th grade entrants).

5. To be eligible for awards, entrants must be registered in advance as a member of HMTA-SA.

6. Each entrant must have passed the appropriate HMTA-SA Theory Test with a minimum score of 70%. It is advisable to take the Fall Theory Test. Post- 12th grade entrants are exempt from the Theory Test requirement.

7. If a winner at the local level fails to appear at the District or State Contest and does not notify the appropriate authorities, he/she may not enter the performance contest the following year.

Setting & Dress Code

Formal Attire. Performances are open to the public.

Awards

Local winners continue on to State Competitions for cash awards.