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Classical Piano Requirements
Participants are required to submit a filmed audition which must include the following – in this order:
1. A prelude and fugue from J.S. Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier, Volume 1 or 2 (no substitution permitted).
2. The first or last movement of a major classical sonata (excluding Beethoven's Op. 49, Op. 79 and Mozart's K.545).
3. A work of the participant's choosing from the Romantic (Chopin, Schumann, Liset, Brahms, etc.) period through the early 20th century (including Bartók, Prokoviet, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Shostakovich, etc.).
4. A substantial 20th or 21st century work representing a contemporary style of composition, such as atonality, serialism, minimalism, chance, etc.*
5. One etude of virtuosity from the 19th or 20th century by a composer such as Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Scriabin, Bartók, Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, etc.
*Substantial is defined as either a multi-movement or single movement work of "serious" music no less than 5 min in length that represents a contemporary style of composition, including but not limited to atonality, serialism, minimalism, chance, extended techniques, etc. Please DO NOT submit works that are popular or commercial in style, such as ragtime, show music, rock, punk, etc. The purpose of this category is to evaluate your ability to perform contemporary "concert stage" music.
No concertos are allowed.
NOTE: Participant's repertoire should be balanced to reflect a range of interpretive ability, virtuosity, slow lyrical playing and innovative programming. It is preferable to present works by a variety of composers. All repeats must be omitted. Failure to adhere to repertoire requirements will result in disqualification.
MEMORIZATION: It is strongly recommended that all selections with the exception of requirement 4 be performed by memory.
ACCOMPANIMENT: All selections with exception of complex contemporary works must be performed by memory.
Both the visual and audio aspects of the performance are important. Please consider the following reminders before submitting your DVD/VHS.
- Be sure that the acoustics of your performance space are not too live (boomy or too much reverberation) or too dry.
- Clarity and ambient quality of sound are important.
- Every effort should be made to tune the piano for your performance.
- Be sure the picture is clear and in focus.
- If you are playing from memory, please be sure there is no music on the stand.
- Place the camera so that your hands are clearly visible.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTENT OF MUSIC DVD or VHS AUDITION:
| Do's (required) | Don'ts (can be disqualified) | |
| 1 | Record your audition in the order listed above using a NEW VHS cassette or DVD. | Do not submit a mini-DV, mini cassette or VCD. QuickTime and AVI files will not be accepted for adjudication |
| 2 | Announce your audition in the following manner: "My YoungArts ID# is 08009999/251. My second piece is (title) composed by (composer)." (You will receive your YoungArts ID# once you have completed the registration process). | Do not state your name or place it in or on the video/DVD box/case. Do not make any other comments. |
| 3 | Use a fixed point of view for your camera with the student auditioning being the main focus. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location. | Do not pan, move the camera, or follow the musician. Camera may be no closer than waist up. |
| 4 | Use a good quality microphone and check for good balance and blend. Edits between pieces are allowed. | Do not make film edits within a piece. No sound enhancements are allowed. |
| 5 | Submit your audition materials according to the official mailing requirements. | Do not submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals or concerts. Otherwise your submission will not be accepted for adjudication. |
| 6 | Include the names and composers of the pieces as well as the DVD track/Chapter # or VHS/DVD player counter/Timestamp on the content card inside the DVD/Videotape case. |
Recommendations
- There should be short pauses between selections.
- If recording your pieces onto a DVD, do not assume that our adjudicators will be able to view it. As soon as the DVD is recorded, make certain you view it in its entirety on a standard DVD player prior to submitting. Do not view your submission on a laptop or desktop as it could format the disc to play only on a computer.
NOTE: Videotapes/DVD's will not be returned. Participants should make and keep copies of all materials submitted. YoungArts is not responsible for submissions lost or damaged in the mail.
