HMTA Piano Contest – ages 6 to 14

Description and Purpose of Event

Determines, through solo competition, the most gifted young pianists from our association. Competitors in age categories 6 to 14 perform a set of technical warm-up routines followed by two required pieces. There is a preliminary round (closed audition), and a final round (open to the public).

Eligibility

Piano students ages 6-14 (age determined as of 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2026)

Click here for the repertoire list.

Click here for the technical requirements.

Registration Deadline and Info

Deadline to Register and Pay: Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

• Teachers will be notified of audition times two weeks prior to the competition. Due to scheduling difficulties, special requests cannot be honored. Absolutely no changes will be made to the schedule after it has been sent out. Teachers’ schedules will be notified the week prior to the competition.

Event Fees

$46 per student / discounted rate of $45 per student studying with an HMTA member when paying via Zelle or Check.

$113 per student / discounted rate of $110 per student studying with a non-HMTA member when paying via Zelle or Check.

Click the button at the bottom of this page to fill out and submit registration form for HMTA Piano Contest (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.

Check payments – make one check per studio postmarked by Wednesday, September 30. Registration fees postmarked after this date will not be accepted. Please start your registation early as you will need the order number (generated at the checkout) before dropping the check in the mailbox. Mail your check to the treasurer:

Sergei Savitski
5707 McKnight St
Houston, TX 77035

Event Requirements and/or Rules

1. It is recommended that each competitor enters the contest at his/her age level. A competitor may enter a higher age category provided he/she has not previously received a division 1 rating at that level. No competitor may enter a lower age category.
2. Each competitor in age category 6-14 shall perform from memory the technical requirement and the two required pieces for the age category entered.
3. Final Round: competitors who are placed in division 1 only perform the two required pieces, no technical requirements. Final round is open to the public.
4. Prompt arrival is mandatory. Any contestant who misses his/her assigned audition time will be disqualified.
5. Two judges will listen to each competitor in a private audition (preliminary round for age categories 6-14). No one other than these three will be allowed in the room at the time of the performance.
6. A panel of two judges will be present at the final round. All judges’ decisions are final.

Teachers’ Responsibility: Participating teachers must volunteer to help with the event, and must meet the minimum 5 meeting attendance requirement. See Standing Rules #1 and #6.

Dress Code

Formal Attire

Awards

Preliminary round

1. Contestants will be ranked in 4 divisions and all will receive a certificate of participation.
2. The bronze medals will be awarded to those who are placed in division 3.
3. The silver medals will be awarded to those who are placed in division 2.
4. The gold medalists (those who are placed in division 1) will be called back to compete in the final round.

Final Round

1. Gold Medals will be awarded to all finalists, and everyone will receive a trophy of equal size.
2. In addition to the medal and trophy, each finalist will also receive either a Special Honors Award or a Best Performance Award, as determined by the judges.