OBJECTIVE
To encourage the study and performance of concerto literature, while emphasizing the importance of technique, style and interpretation, ensemble playing, and overall musicianship.
TEACHER ELIGIBILITY
Any teacher who is a member of Encore may register students for this and all student events sponsored throughout the year. Annual membership dues are standard throughout the year and are not prorated.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY AND DIVISIONS
Any student may participate who has paid the registration fee and is studying with a teacher who meets the requirements above.
- Division 1 – ages 4–7
- Division 2A – ages 8-9
- Division 2B – ages 10–11
- Division 3A – ages 12-13
- Division 3B – ages 14–15
- Division 4 – ages 16–18 as of August 30 each year
REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to perform an entire movement of a concerto from memory. The second piano part must be played (usually by the teacher), but no memorization is required. Only the soloist will receive an adjudication and rating.
The adjudicator must be provided with a score. Should a score not be provided, the student will have 10 points (one full rating) deducted from his/her adjudication form. Because of strict copyright protection laws, Encore does not permit the use of photocopied scores. Should copies be used, the student will have 10 points (one full rating) deducted from his/her adjudication form. Copied scores that are bought online should be noted and will not be penalized. Should a student use music while performing, 10 points will be deducted.
Teachers may use their own discretion in selecting concerti, but should be judicious in choosing well-written, appropriate literature. Any questions regarding acceptable repertoire should be addressed to the Encore Executive Board. Concerto movements performed in previous years may not be used by the same student again.
Time limits are:
- Division 1 – 4 minutes
- Division 2A – 6 minutes
- Division 2B – 6 minutes
- Division 3A – 7 minutes
- Division 3B – 9 minutes
- Division 4 – 9 minutes
Please make cuts if needed to stay within the time limit.
JUDGING
All judges will be competent professionals who will receive compensation for their services. Every effort will be made to seek qualified and impartial judges. Each participant will be heard and evaluated by one adjudicator, and will receive one of the following ratings:
- Superior 90–100
- Excellent 80–89
- Very Good 70–79
- Good 60–69
AWARDS AND INCENTIVES
In addition to the adjudication sheet, all participants will receive a rating and certificate of participation. Each adjudicator will select several outstanding students who will be invited to participate in the Concerto Festival Outstanding Performer Recital. (See Encore Handbook under “Materials.”)
Students who have participated in the festival for at least three years, and have earned the required number of points, will be eligible for a Gold Cup Award. (See Encore Handbook under “Materials.”) Points earned from past participation in other festivals may be eligible for transfer.
Questions may be addressed to the Encore Executive Board. Scholarship auditions will be held in May, and will be open to all seniors who have completed requirements for the Keyboard Competition, Ensemble Festival, Solo Festival, Concerto Festival, and all categories of Encore Musicianship Evaluations.
The Encore Executive Board will determine the possibility of any exceptions or changes to the rules and guidelines above.
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS
All students of Encore teachers may enter the online division through AuditionWare. The online version registration of the Concerto Festival opens the same day as the live registration, but closes one week after the first day of the live event.
Online submissions will require students to make a YouTube video and provide the link. The YouTube video must be either “unlisted” or “public,” but not “private.”
Music for judges is not required for the online competition. If piano families are nervous about which day they may be asked to play on for the live event, it is recommended they sign up for the online version of the event. The online version of the event will simply have comments by a judge and will not be considered for the Honors Recitals. The reason the online event exists is to help students earn points toward trophies, medallions, plaques who cannot make the live event (especially for those that live out of state), and to cover any day-of emergencies at the live event.
Online submissions should have the following YouTube title, adapted to each student: “First name, last name, piece, composer, Encore Concerto Festival, year” (Jane Doe, Piano Concerto 1 in B-flat major, mvt. 3 by Tchaikovsky, Encore KC, year.” The online videos need to include the full body view with head to feet. Good lighting and sound should be a priority. It is the teacher’s responsibility to make sure links work when putting the videos into AuditionWare.
Students should submit videos with cuts if their concerto is longer than the given time limit (ie: Level 4 should stay within 9 minutes).
Should students use music when performing, they will be deducted 10 points. Teachers who upload music on AuditionWare for the online event should fill out an “Online Copyright Rules” document and include it with the same music upload on AuditionWare. This document is found under “Materials>Encore Handbook>Online Copyright Rules.”