MICHIGAN MUSIC ASSOCIATION
COMPETITION
Standard Division
Song must be chosen from the graded list of solos as prepared by
the MMA Board of Directors and the Piano Representative. Song
must be memorized. For more details, please read the published Standard List.
Championship Division
"This category is designed for pieces that do not fit in other available categories.
Pieces such as marches, new age, solo piano concertos, inspirational or patriotic
music should be performed in this category. Some composers for example would
include, Rollin, Mier, Faber, Bober, Vandall, Lanz, Brickman, etc. Pieces must
be memorized. Subdivisions of this category are determined by the contestant's
age."
Pop Division
Jazz, ragtime, and blues are no longer permitted in this division.
Songs must be played through the first time as written and then
repeats may be improvised. Improvising is encouraged. Songs
must be memorized. Subdivisions of this category are
determined by the contestant's age.
Classical Division
Songs must be an original piano composition, not an
arrangement of a classical theme. Selection of composers will be
up to the teacher's discretion. Songs must be memorized.
Teaching pieces from method books such as Alfred, Bastien, etc.
even though an original is not acceptable. Subdivisions of this
category are determined by the contestant's age.
Jazz
Pieces in this category must fit within the idiom of jazz. This could include, but is
not limited to, standard jazz works or jazz arrangements of classical or pop
pieces. Also included in this division will be ragtime, boogie, and blues. Music must be
memorized. As in the Pop Division, songs must be played as written the first time
through and then improvised upon repeat. Improvisation is encouraged.
Subdivisions of this category are determined by the contestant's age.
Evaluations
Developed for any student on any instrument. This is not a
contest. Students will be evaluated on their performance ability
and how well they played the piece, not on the difficulty of the
piece, or the length
of study. Songs need not be memorized. A rating will be given
on a percentage basis.
A-1 Rating – 94% - 100%
A-2 Rating – 88% - 93%
A-3 Rating – 80% - 87%
Broadway Division
Selections may be chosen from any past or current Broadway Show. All songs must be memorized. Songs from movies are not acceptable. You may use accompaniment trax or piano. Costumes and other appropriate props can also be used in this category.
Subdivisions of this category are determined by the contestant’s age.
Classical Division
Selection of composers will be up to the teacher’s discretion. Folk and art songs are appropriate for the younger voices. All songs must be memorized. You may use accompaniment trax or piano. No lead sheets are allowed.. Subdivisions of this category are determined by the contestant’s age.
Inspirational Division
This category includes all songs from the Gospel, Praise and Worship, Hymns, Spirituals, Contemporary Christian or even Patriotic songs. All songs must be memorized. You may use accompaniment trax or piano. Subdivisions of this category are determined by the contestant’s age.
Pop Division
Songs must be sung as written the first time through, the repeats may be improvised. All songs must be memorized. You may use accompaniment trax or piano. Subdivisions of this category are determined by the contestant’s age.
Evaluations
Developed for any student on any instrument. This is not a contest. Students will be evaluated on their performance ability and how well they played the piece, not on the difficulty of the piece, or the length of study. Songs need not be memorized. A rating will be given on a percentage basis.
A-1 Rating – 94% - 100%
A-2 Rating – 88% - 93%
A-3 Rating – 80% - 87%
ü Please note – No lead sheets allowed.
If accompanists use photocopies for easier turning of the pages, they must have an original copy of the music in addition to the judge’s original copy.
Standard Division
Song must be chosen from the graded list of solos as prepared by
the MMA Board of Directors and the Percussion Representative.
Songs must be memorized. For more details, please read the
Standard List.
Drum Set Division
Songs must be totally improvised. Contestant must supply his or
her own Drum Set.
Snare Drum Division
Songs must be memorized. All songs must be played as written.
Contestant must supply his or her own Snare Drum.
Mallet Percussion Division
Songs must be memorized. All songs must be played as written.
Multi-Percussion Division
Songs must be memorized. All songs must be played as written.
Evaluations
Developed for any student on any instrument. This is not a
contest. Students will be evaluated on their performance
ability and how well they played the piece, not on the
difficulty of the piece, or the length
of study. Songs need not be memorized. A rating will be
given on a percentage basis.
A-1 Rating – 94% - 100%
A-2 Rating – 88% - 93%
A-3 Rating – 80% - 87%
POP DIVISION
This division emphasizes entertainment value.
Any non-classical repertoire is accepted (Any form from the Modern period). Non-notated
tablature, lead sheets and effects are allowed. All solos must be memorized.
CLASSICAL
It is strongly suggested that the student play a nylon string guitar in classical guitar style playing. Classical Repertoire only. All solos must be memorized.
EVALUATION
Developed for any student on any instrument. This is not a contest.Students will be evaluated on their
performance ability and how well they play the piece, not on the difficulty of the piece or length. Non-notated tablature and effects are allowed.
Broadway Vocal
Championship Drum Set
Championship Piano
Championship Snare Drum
Classical Piano
Classical Vocal
Inspirational Vocal
Pop Piano
Pop Vocal
Jazz Piano
Available in many competitive solo categories for the “Best
Performance” regardless of age. This is a unique category in that
any student may enter.
All students entering this division will forfeit their option to play
against students of their own age.
Student Teachers (those still in high school/currently taking
lessons) may only enter the Open Divisions if their students are
entered in other divisions.
First Place winners in these categories will receive two trophies:
one for permanent possession, the other is a traveling trophy to
be kept for one year. It will be engraved and passed on to the
next year’s winner. They will also receive a $100 cash prize.
All participants in the Open Category are expected to be at the
Awards Ceremonies. If you can not attend the awards ceremony
on the Sunday of competition, you can not enter the Open
Division. In the event the participant wins their event, they will
be asked to perform their song for all those who are in
attendance.
Classical Piano Duets
Must be arranged for 1 piano / 4 hands. Need not be
memorized.
Double Piano Duets
Must be arranged for 2 Pianos/4 Hands. If it is played on
one piano, no trophy will be awarded. Need not be
memorized.
Pop Piano Duets
Must be arranged for 1 Piano / 4 Hands. Need not bememorized.
Snare Drum Duets
Must be memorized. May use accompaniment trax or
piano.
Vocal Duets
Must be memorized. May use accompaniment trax or
piano.
Adult Hobbyist Duets
Must be limited to arrangements for 1 Piano / 4 Hands.
Need not be memorized.
Evaluations (Duets only)
May be from any of the above Divisions. Need not be
memorized.
Prep: Ages 5 – 7
Junior: Ages 8 – 11
Intermediate: Ages 12 – 14
Senior: Ages 15 - 18
Trios
Keyboard Trios
Arrangements must be divided evenly with all three
players. Need not be memorized.
Piano Trios
Arrangements must be written for 1 Piano / 6 Hands.
Need not be memorized.
Vocal Trios
May use accompaniment trax or Piano. Must be
memorized.
Quartets
Keyboard Quartets
Must be arranged for 2 Pianos / 8 Hands. Need not
be memorized.
Piano Quartets
Must be arranged for 2 Pianos / 8 Hands. Need not
Be memorized.
Vocal Quartets
May be arranged for SABT, SSAA, or TTBB. May use
accompaniment trax or piano.
Ensembles
Keyboard Ensembles
Must consist of 3 to 8 people. Need not be
memorized.
Percussion Ensembles
Must consist of 3 to 8 people. Need not be
Memorized.
Vocal Ensembles
Must consist ot 3 to 8 people. Need not be
memorized.
Bands or Choirs
Must consist of 3 to 8 people. Need not be
Memorized.
Piano – Classical, Pop, Championship
Vocal – Classical, Pop,
Championship Snare Drum
Drum Set
Available to those students, over 21 and currently taking
lessons.
Songs must be memorized and performed as written.
Evaluations are also available for the Adult Hobbyists. This is
not a contest. Students will be evaluated on their performance
ability and how well they played the piece, not on the difficulty of
the piece, or the length of study. Songs need not be
memorized. A rating will be given on a percentage basis.
A-1 Rating – 94% - 100%
A-2 Rating – 88% - 93%
A-3 Rating – 80% - 87%
CONTEST INFORMATION – 2012
Contest will be held February 17-19, 2012
Radisson Hotel
100 West Michigan Avenue,
Kalamazoo, MI - (269) 343-3333
All entries & checks must be received by January 10, 2012. Entries & checks will be
accepted until January 17, 2012 accompanied by the $5.00 per entry late fee. NO EXCEPTIONS.
No refunds shall be given after the late entry date.
Student must be within the ages 5-18 as of January 1st. (18 year olds must be in high school, excluding adult hobby division)
Entry forms must be filled out completely. Once a title name is submitted, there can be no changes before or during the competition.
Each contestant may be in as many events as they wish. Different musical selections
must be played for each entry. (Excludes evaluations which can be a repeated selection)
Teachers are asked to stay within the following time limit chart when choosing solos for their students.
Ages 5-8……….………………….2 minutes
Ages 9-12…………………………5 minutes
Ages 12-16………………………..10 minutes
Ages 17-18………………………..15 minutes
Open Divisions………………….. 15 minutes
(All times given are maximum time limits) (No minimum times)
All events (solos, duets, ensembles, etc.) must supply a separate original copy of the music for the judge. All measures must be numbered or -5 points
All events must be memorized with these exceptions: -10 points
All Evaluations – (Except for Vocal Divisions)
All Duets – (Except for Vocal Divisions)
All Ensembles – (Except Vocal Divisions)
Contestants are expected to learn new songs each year, this includes solos, duets and ensembles.
Dress Code: Please no tennis shoes or jeans.
For those who enter multiple instruments – keyboard, piano and/or digital piano, you may use the same song
but change the arrangements, registrations, add improvisation or added harmonies, etc.
Trophies for permanent possession will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners in each solo and duet category.
Ribbons will be awarded to all competitors, with the exception of trophy winners. According to the score given, they will be classified as
Excellent, Good or Fair.
All teachers are expected to take an active part in the contest weekend. Room Captains and other areas of volunteer help need you involvement.
Attendance at special activities throughout the weekend are also encouraged.
Special accommodations will be made when needed for persons with disabilites upon advanced notice.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
All competitors must enter through their teacher.
All competitors must be within the ages 5-18 years of age (18 year olds must be in high school)
and be currently taking lessons from a Michigan Music Association member in good standing.
All competitors must be prepared to show proof of age, and must play in the age category on his/her birthday as of January 1st of that year.
Any student who has had lessons from another teacher within 3 months prior to the competition date, must have the former teacher’s
name along with the present teachers name on the entry form.
All students entering the Open Divisions are required to be present at the Awards Ceremony or will not be able to compete in this division.
TEACHER INVOLVEMENT
Persons who are actively teaching music lessons in the state of Michigan.
Teachers must take an active part in the yearly competitions.
All teacher’s must be present at the end of the awards to collect
any unclaimed trophies and their teacher packets. If the
teacher is unable to attend, they must have a representative to collect these materials.
The representative must have the teacher’s badge to collect
trophies and teacher packets. Absolutely no teacher packets or trophies will be
distributed without a teacher’s badge or after the competition weekend.
Teacher’s membership requires a forty dollar ($40.00) annual membership fee due on December 1st of each year.
Late dues will be $50.00 except for new teachers. (Lifetime members are exempt from this fee.) (See Teacher Membership Application)
If any teacher is interested in serving on the Board of Directors or in any other capacity, they should contact the President or any other Board Member.
ENTRY FEES
1st Entry - $30.00
Each additional entry - $20.00
Duets/Ensembles - $20.00
1st Open - $40.00
Each additional - $35.00
Mail checks to:
Michigan Music Association
c/o Pattie Raica
275 N. Main
Marine City, Mi. 48039
Kroger Fund-raising Program
Kroger will give back 5% for every dollar spent on groceries. Your fund-raising dollars are divided 2 ½% to the student and 2 ½% to Michigan Music Association.
All you need to do is register on-line at www.krogercommunityrewards.com once a year with your Kroger Plus card and your fund-raising will be recorded for you. Please make sure that your receipt says “You are fund-raising for Michigan Music Association”.
You will receive a statement through your teacher, prior to the due date for your contest registration..
Contact your teacher or Patti Raica for more information.
ATTENTION TEACHERS & STUDENTS
M.M.A. Competition Weekend Scholarship
Scholarship Rules for 2012
Winner will receive 2 nights in the hotel, as well as all entry
fees paid and one ticket to the Awards Banquet on Sunday.
The entries will be reviewed and the recipient selected by a scholarship committee.
Entries should be attached and emailed to pattie@michiganmusicassociation.org
All entries must be received by: October 1st, 2011
Please include your name and teacher’s name on the entry.
In the body of the email, please also include your age and birth date, as well as how long you have been taking lessons and any other extracurricular activities you are involved in.
Please address the ONE of the following topics in a short essay:
Describe a favorite experience from a past MMA and why the organization has been
important in your music studies.
Discuss the impact your music lessons and/or your teacher has had on your life so far.
What do you hope to do with your music in the future and how do you plan to keep it a
part of your life?
2009 Open Winners
Pop Piano
1st - David Huan Phil Pletcher
2nd - Eric Olivero Doris Allen
3rd - Jimmy Tangalos Georgette Sarzyenski
Championship Piano
1st- Emily Young Diane Mogan
2nd- David Huan Phil Pletcher
3rd- Eric Olivero Doris Allen
Classical Piano
1st- Eric Olivero Doris Allen
2nd- Daniel Huan Phil Pletcher
3rd- Emily Young Diane Mogan
Pop Vocal
1st- Evelyn Everhart Diane Mogan
2nd- J.J. Beach Amanda Johnson
3rd- Shelby Devine Sheri Such O'Connor
Broadway Vocal
1st- Evelyn Everhart Diane Mogan
2nd- Brooke Bliznik Sharon Cardeccia
3rd- Christina Swanson Amanda Johnson
Classical Vocal
1st- Evelyn Everhart Diane Mogan
2nd- Emily Young Diane Mogan
3rd- Katie Magert Amanda Johnson
Inspirational Vocal
1st- Katie Maggert Amanda Johnson
2nd- J.J. Beach Amanda Johnson
3rd- Emily Young Diane Mogan