OBJECTIVE
To encourage the study and performance of good solo piano literature, while emphasizing the importance of style and interpretation, technique, 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. Students will be registered according to their ages on Sept 1 of the current school year. For example, if a student is 11 years old as of September 1, 2021 and is registering for the festival in February 2022, they will enter Division 2B, even if in the meantime they had a birthday and are 12 years old.
- Division 1 – Ages 5–7
- 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
REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to perform two memorized selections from the solo repertoire. Ensemble pieces and concertos are not eligible for this festival as they have their own separate festivals. The adjudicator must be provided with both scores. Should one or both scores 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. Should a student not perform from memory, a student will be docked 10 points from their final score.
Students who have studied piano for four years or more are required to perform selections from different musical periods. All other students are encouraged but not required to perform pieces representing different periods. Students at this level may perform non-classical selections (Bastien, Olson, Noona, etc.); however, the pieces must be by different composers, and should be contrasting in mood, dynamic range, tempi, and/or style.
Repertoire used for the Encore Keyboard Competition may not be used for Solo Festival. Repertoire used previously for any Encore event may not be used again. Teachers may use their own discretion in selecting repertoire, but should be judicious in choosing well-written, appropriate literature. Popular music in any form is not acceptable. No arrangements, abridgements or transcriptions may be used, with the exception of those which qualify as standard repertoire, i.e. transcriptions of Liszt, Busoni and others. Any questions regarding acceptable repertoire should be addressed to the Encore Solo Festival Chairs.
Repeats with first and second endings should be played. Other repeats are optional. Recommended time limits for both works totaled 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
JUDGING
All judges will be competent professionals who will receive compensation for their services. Judges used the previous year will not be allowed to judge the same Encore event, but may do so every other year. Each participant will be heard and evaluated by one judge, 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 Solo 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 Ensemble Festival, Solo Festival, Concerto Festival, Musicianship Evaluations, and the Encore Keyboard Competition.
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 Solo Festival opens the same day as the live registration, but closes one week after the first day of the live Keyboard Competition.
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 currently 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 Recital. 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 Jr. (or Sr.) Solo, year” (Jane Doe, Liebestraum no. 3 by Liszt, Encore Sr. Solo 2023.” The online videos need to include the full body view with head to feet. Each song needs an individual link. 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.
Should students use music when performing, they will be docked 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.”