A Local Resource for Piano Teachers
An Affiliate of the Music Teachers' National Association
2022 JURIED PIANO RECITAL AUDITIONS (This page will be updated as soon as next year's plans are made.)
Mission/Purpose To expose students to a high-level performance situation. This event is intended for the well-prepared student who is capable of accepting the challenge of the concert platform.
This year, students can opt to participate virtually or in person. We welcome all who would like to participate, but respectfully request that those who are not fully vaccinated choose to participate virtually.
- submit audition videos by March 27 for a virtual recital, to be released by May 15, OR - -audition in person on April 3 at Rowan University, for an in-person recital to be held at Rowan on May 1. Depending on the number of in-person participants, one, two or three recitals may be held at 12:15, 2:00 and/or 3:30 on May 1. Auditioning students should make sure to be available between noon and 5 pm on May 1 for in-person recitals.
Virtual Auditions/Recitals: Students can submit audition performances on video for judging. The submitted videos selected through the audition process will appear in a virtual recital edited and presented by SJMTA by May 15.
In-Person Auditions/Recitals: Fully vaccinated students may audition in person at Rowan University on Sunday, April 3. Any students who audition in person must submit proof of vaccination to their teachers before applying. They must also submit the Juried Recital Audition and Concert Student Release Form, signed by a parent, when they arrive at Rowan to audition.
Eligibility Teachers whose dues are current may enter students of any age. Students must have studied with their present teacher for at least six months. Students must play at the Late Elementary, Intermediate or Advanced level. Beginners are not eligible.
Age-appropriate repertoire: 7th/8th grade students should be at least intermediate/late intermediate, and high school students at least late intermediate/early advanced.
Awards: SJMTA has special awards for students who have participated in the Juried Recitals 5, 7, or 10 times.
Repertoire Students must perform two compositions in contrasting styles:
Note on Arrangements: Arrangements and/or simplified editions of the classical selection will not be accepted. Note on Copyright: .
For In-Person Auditions: Students MUST bring their music to the auditions for the use of the judges. To prevent disruption, students are not permitted to share music. If a judge has to wait for a student without music, the student may be disqualified from auditioning. Students MUST abide by federal copyright law. Music printed from CD Sheet Music or websites providing score of works in the public domain is acceptable; sources must be documented, as photocopies of muisc undre copyright are NOT acceptable. (Pleasae use the Competitions Music Release Form, which can be downloaded here.)
Students who do not fulfill these two requirements will be allowed to play on the audition, but will not be accepted to play in the recital, regardless of the quality of their playing.
For Online Auditions only: Students MUST submit scanned copies (in pdf format) of the pieces they will be playing. Without these copies, students may be disqualified from participating.
Categories Solo pieces: Students may play in one of three possible categories:
For longer sonatinas or sonatas, one movement can be played. For shorter sonatinas, teachers may select the entire piece.
Duets: A teacher may submit duets in one of the following categories:
Performance Time The maximum combined playing time for both pieces is not to exceed the following:
Memorization Both solo pieces must be memorized for both the audition and the recital. Duets do not need to be memorized.
Arrival Time Students should arrive 15 minutes early for in-person auditions and recitals.
Performance Rules NO WARM-UPS will be allowed the day of the in-person auditions or the day the in-person recitals, in order to avoid disruption of the schedule.
Students will not be asked to play scales, but may play one scale of their choice on the day of the auditions (NOT the recitals) to get the feel of the piano before beginning the first piece.
The judge will indicate only one piece to be performed for the recital. This decision is final and cannot be changed.
Dress Code (per NJMTA) Girls should wear dresses (not strapless or cut-out), or blouses with skirts or dress pants. No jeans. Dresses and skirts should be at least knee-length when seated. Pants must be full length - no capris. Leggings are permitted under dressy tops. Dress shoes with heels attached or dress sandals with backs are allowed. No sneakers, flip-flops, casual sandals, boots or platform shoes. Colored nail polish, rings, and bracelets are not allowed.
Boys should wear a suit or dress slacks with a dress shirt, non-athletic sweater or sports jacket. Ties are optional. No jeans or sneakers, please.
VIDEO REQUIREMENTS- for Online Auditions Only
No audience during recording Please make sure that there are no distractions, noises or other people present during the recording of the video to be submitted. If selected, this video will be used as the recital performance.
Video Submissions Videos should be recorded within six weeks of the video deadline. Recording may not have taken place prior to February 20, 2022.
You will receive specific instructions on how to create and submit videos once you register. Both videos and scanned copies of musical scores (in pdf format) must be submitted by March 27.
Judging Submitted videos will be judged by April 5, approximately.
Registration Fees Solo pieces: All levels $30.00 Duets: All levels $30 ($15/student)
How to Enter For this event, SJMTA offers online registration ONLY. Please fill in the online registration form (click here to register).
For duets, enter the first student as usual. Enter the second student's name under "Student 2" and check the box marked "duet."
Scheduling requests: Any special scheduling requests related to the in-person recitals should be submitted at the time of registration. This year we cannot promise to accommodate all requests, so please try to make performers available between noon and 5 pm on May 1.
Please send one check for the total amount of all student fees (checks from students cannot be accepted), PLUS your separate duty deposit check of $50 (refundable when the teacher voluneers; see "Volunteers Needed," below). Make both checks payable to SJMTA and mail to:
Joseph Krupa
1135 West Valley Brook Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Registration Deadline All registrations must be submitted no later than Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Once you have registered, you will receive additional instructions on submitting musical scores and performance videos.
Please note that no registrations and no changes of repertoire will be accepted after this deadline.
Volunteers Needed We require all participating teachers to volunteer to help out with this event or pay a $50 fee. A duty deposit of $50 must be submitted along with the application fee. This separate check for $50 will be refunded when the teacher has completed his or her volunteer service. We need volunteers to help at the registration table, as well as in setting up and cleaning up. When you fill in the volunteer registration form, please indicate in which time slot you would be able to help. Results Please do not call the chairpersons to ask for audition results. The audition results will be e-mailed to the teachers as soon as possible.
The judge will indicate only one piece to be included in the recital, whether the student is participating in the in-person or virtual concert. This decision is final and cannot be changed.
For Virtual Recital participants, the video performance of the piece selected by the judge will be aired as part of a virtual recital. On Sunday, May 15th, the virtual recital(s) will be posted as YouTube videos. Each participant will receive the link on this date, and the video link(s) will be available for 7 days.
The In-Person Recitals will be held at Rowan University on May 1. Depending on the number of participants, there may be one, two or three recitals, at 12:15, 2:00 and/or 3:30 pm, so auditioning students are requested to hold the afternoon open between noon and 5 pm if possible.