ACTIVITIES

• Local Level
• District Level
• State Level
• National Level

SCHOLARSHIPS

Each Active member may submit a maximum of 5 students for the scholarships A, B and C below.

 A) (i) MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS for piano: Maximum 3 Students per teacher.

Applicants are judged within school grade levels, as follows (the student’s school grade on January 1 preceding the audition will determine the level):

Junior A:         students through grade 4.

Junior B:         students in grades 5 and 6.

Junior C:         students in grades 7 and 8.

Senior A:         students in grades 9 and 10.

Senior B:         students in grades 11 and 12.

 A) (ii) MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS for voice:

Applicants are judged in these age levels:

Junior: through age 13, at time of audition.

Senior A: age 14 through 16, at time of audition.

Senior B: age 17 through 20, at time of audition.

At all levels students are required to perform three pieces from memory, each from a different period (baroque, classical, romantic, impressionist, 20th century). The only exceptions are Junior A piano and Junior voice, where repertoire does not have to be from different historical periods. Concerti or movements from concerti will not be accepted.

Merit Scholarship first place winners at any level will not be eligible to compete the following year at that level, but may compete in the next higher level if in the correct school grade (or age, for voice contestants).

Merit Scholarship first and second place winners at each level may perform one of the pieces from their audition program in the Honors Recital. Judges may recommend the recital piece, but the final choice may be made by the student. Merit scholarships for other instruments are also available.   For further information contact Merit Scholarship Chairman.

 B) HESS SCHOLARSHIP: 1 student per teacher

All applicants play the same required composition, as announced each year in Tones and Overtones.

Each teacher may send only one student, and that teacher may send only two students for the Merit Scholarships, one of whom may be the Hess applicant (however, the Hess required composition may not be used as part of the 3-piece Merit program). Entries are limited to the first 10 applicants, and the winner may play in the annual Honors Recital. The winner may not compete for this scholarship the following year, but may apply again in two years.

 C) MMTF LATIN-AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP: 1 student per teacher.

A student may audition for Hess and Merit or Latin-American and Merit, but may not use the Hess piece or either of the Latin-American pieces in the Merit audition. A student may not audition for all 3 of these scholarships.

Applicants must play two pieces of contrasting styles by Latin-American composers. If there is any doubt regarding this requirement, contact the scholarship chairman before assigning the work. One student per teacher may apply, and that teacher may only send 2 students for the Merit Scholarships.

A student who auditions for this award may also audition for a Merit Scholarship but may not use one of the Latin American pieces as part of his 3-piece Merit program. The winner may play in the annual Honors Recital. He may not compete for this scholarship the following year, but may apply again in two years.

Note: Teachers may enter a maximum of 5 students in A, B and C above; i.e. 3 for Merit and 2 for Hess, OR 3 for Merit and 2 for Latin-American, OR 3 in Merit, 1 in Hess and 1 in Latin-American, etc. Also, there is a maximum of 3 students per teacher for the merit scholarship, so no more than 3 of the 5 can be for merit. A STUDENT MAY NOT AUDITION FOR MORE THAN 2 OF THESE 3 SCHOLARSHIPS.

  D) MMTF ENSEMBLE PIANO ENSEMBLE SCHOLARSHIP: 2 ensembles per teacher, playing as a duet/duo, trio or quartet.   Two pieces are required. 

Entries are divided into Elementary (through grade 4), Junior (grades 5 through 8) and Senior (grades 9 through 12). Two ensemble groups per teacher may audition and this does not limit other entries by that teacher. A student may enter only one ensemble. The $20 application fee is per student, not ensemble. First place winners at each level may play one of their ensemble pieces at the Honors Recital. Any first place winner may not compete for this Scholarship the following year, but may apply again in two years. At the time of this audition original scores must be provided for the entrants, as well as one original for the judges.

  E) SIGHT READING SCHOLARSHIP: 1 student per teacher.

This scholarship is geared towards the beginning piano student through school grade 5. Teachers are encouraged to develop good habits in tackling new material, by using sight reading materials on a regular basis.

Evaluations will take place during the performance audition at FSMTA District Vl Student Day in Miami. Students will need to enroll in the Student Day program.

Students selected by the Student Day judges for superior sight reading skills will have a second and final round of evaluations. One winner in each of the following categories will be chosen:

1. School grades: Pre-school – 3rd
2. School grades: 4th and 5th

The winners will receive their awards either at the annual MMTF Honors Recital or the Student Day Honors Recital.

 F) MMTA COMPOSITION CONTEST:

      All compositions submitted must be an ORIGINAL WORK and no longer than 5 minutes.

1. Three levels: ANY INSTRUMENTATION and COMBINATION. Age as of January 1st of the audition year: A. ELEMENTARY: Ages 5-10 (minimum 16 measures) B. JUNIOR: Ages 11-14 C. SENIOR: Ages 15-18
2. One WINNER and/or HONORABLE MENTION from each category will be awarded with a cash award to be determined by MMTF.
3. The judge’s decision is final. The judge may/may not declare a winner or honorable mention.
4. Compositions must be handwritten and/or computer notated by the composer.
5. The Winning Compositions will be performed at the annual MMTF Honors/Scholarships Recital.
6. Winners must be present and are responsible for the performance and obtaining performers.

 APPLICATION REQUEST

1. Entry fee of $20 and application due three weeks before the Honors Audition date. Mailed to the Composition Contest Chair.
2. One FULL SCORE with ONLY the “TITLE and LEVEL” on the manuscript (no names) with the measures numbered preferably at the

beginning of each system. Scores will not be returned.

1. On a separate sheet of paper include the COMPOSER AND BIRTH DATE, TITLE AND INSTUMENTATION, LEVEL, DURATION, and

TEACHER (MMTA member).

12. Awards to all scholarship winners will be presented at the Honors Recital. All students chosen to perform in this recital are required to perform. It is intended that awards be used to further the student’s music education.

RULES FOR HONOR RECITALS

1) Auditions will be held each spring, for exceptional students of piano, voice, or any instrument. To be eligible to submit students, a teacher who holds ACTIVE membership must have paid current MMTA, MTNA, and FSMTA membership dues on or before October 1 of the current fiscal year. The only exception to this deadline will be granted to a teacher joining those three organizations for the very first time. This one time exception will allow the teacher to pay all dues on or before January 1st of the audition year. In accordance with MMTA bylaws, an Active teacher must also attend at least two meetings during the current fiscal year (June through May). For teachers entering students for MMTF Honors and/or ALL Scholarships, these 2 meetings must be attended BEFORE THE APPLICATION DEADLINE.

2.Students must have completed at least 6 months study with the teacher who submits the application. Students who have graduated from high school or taken the GED are not eligible (except for voice students, where the age limit is 20).

3.Participants are judged within two age divisions as follows:    Junior Division: age 13 or younger.           Senior Division: ages 14 through high school, except for Voice, where the age limit is 20. The participant’s age on January 1 preceding the audition will determine the Division.

4. Each Active member may submit two students for the audition. These may be two in the Junior Division, two in the Senior Division, or one in each division.

5. All repertoire must be in its original form. Absolutely no arrangements or “pop tunes” will be accepted.

6. No piece will be allowed if it has ever been auditioned in any competition sponsored by FSMTA District VI Music Teachers Associations, including Broward County, Miami, Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast MTA’s.

7. Applications must be sent to the Chairman by the deadline and on the forms appearing in Tones and Overtones. If sent by e-mail, applications will be considered received on the date when the entry check is postmarked. The fee for each application is $20.00. A check from the teacher must accompany applications, and only checks from MMTA members will be accepted. If more than one application is being submitted, teachers should submit a single check for the total amount due. Checks must be payable to MIAMI MUSIC TEACHERS FOUNDATION. To receive the judges’ brief critiques, the teacher must send a self-addressed and stamped envelope along with the application.

8. At least one original of the piece played, unmarked except for measure numbers, must be presented to the judges. Neither the student’s name nor the teacher’s name should appear on the score. Repeats are not to be taken. No photocopies will be accepted and, if presented, the student will automatically be disqualified. Photo-copied scores may be accepted if written permission from the publisher is presented, but the Honors Recital Chairman must be notified of this situation in writing on or before the deadline.

9. It is permissible for students to audition with two pieces of no more than one minute each; if selected for the recital, both pieces may be played. Timing will be strictly enforced. All other students may play only one piece, or one movement from a multi-movement work. All students are required to perform from memory.

10. If a student auditioning for the Honors Recital is also auditioning for a scholarship, one of the scholarship audition pieces may also be played for the Honors Recital audition.

11. In the event that two applications are submitted for the same work, the earlier postmarked or e-mailed application will be accepted. The other applicant will be contacted and given the opportunity to submit a different work.

12. Three judges having no connection with any student entered will audition students on performance. No one may be present at the auditions except student, judges, and Honors Recital Chairman. All decisions of the judges are final and will not be subject to further review. Judges will be instructed not to speak with teachers or parents at any time, and to speak with students only very briefly if necessary. Teachers may not speak or be visible to judges, and if this rule is broken they may not send students for this event the following year.

13. A list of students chosen to participate in the Honors Recital will be mailed or e-mailed to teachers as soon as possible after the auditions. Results will not be given by telephone. The number of Honors winners will depend on the number of entries.   The board will decide each year the number of winners.

14. Questions or problems must be handled by the student’s teacher through the Scholarship Committee Advisor or the Honors Recital Chairman. Parents are not allowed to contact these Chairmen.

15. Students selected by the Honors Recital audition judges to perform in the Honors Recital will not be eligible to audition for the Honors Recital the following year, but may apply again in two years. For further information contact Honors Recital Chairman.

FUNDRAISERS

MMTA has enjoyed a long tradition of phenomenal fundraising events, from multi piano events, to pianothons, collaborating with the nation’s charities in “Evening of Giving” mall performances, jazz festivals and more. This year, another beautiful Holiday Gala at the Coral Gables Museum.