Participation in adjudicated playing events is completely optional. Many students enjoy going to the UL Lafayette School of Music, playing for another piano teaching professional to receive a written critique and rating, and the feeling of achievement to be recognized for their efforts.
Duet/Ensemble Festival
October 21, 2023
Students are assigned a specific time to play, usually in the morning. If there is a large group of entries, afternoon time is added. You can plan to be there about 30 minutes to an hour.
The Louisiana Federation of Music Clubs (an affiliate of the National Federation of Music Clubs) has playing festivals to celebrate living composers. Every few years, NFMC publishes a bulletin of required pieces for various instruments types. For piano, students may participate in any of the following: DUET, TRIO, QUARTET, or DUO. Students are to play one piece from the appropriate level in the NFMC bulletin and may choose one other appropriate leveled piano ensemble for a total of two repertoire pieces to be played for an evaluation with an adjudicator. This is a private performance held at the piano studio of Sue Steck-Turner. The teacher and parent(s) may not go into the playing room. Students accumulate points for achievement trophies every 3-5 years.
My thoughts: I have many students participate in this event. It’s a great way to play for evaluation and feedback without taking on a heavy load. It does take consistent practice and planning to meet the performance deadline. Students also learn about teamwork and accountability.
Fee: $15/entry
Technique Tournament
November 11, 2023
Students are assigned a specific time to play, usually in the morning. If there is a large group of entries, afternoon time is added. You can plan to be there about 30 minutes to an hour.
The UL Lafayette Piano Pedagogy Department sponsors this annual event. In Technique Tournament, a performer may enter any level. From that, students are required to play three scales, three matching arpeggios, and one etude. If desired, the etude may be chosen from any higher level, using the requirements of that level. Students will receive written critiques, a certificate of proficiency if all requirements are met, and a special award if the performance receives a Superior rating.
My thoughts: I have many students participate in this event. It’s a great way to play for evaluation and feedback without taking on a heavy load. It does take consistent practice and planning to meet the performance deadline.
Fee: $10/entry
Solo Festival
January 27, 2024
Students are assigned a specific time to play, usually all in the morning. If there is a large group of entries, afternoon time is added. You can plan to be there about 30 minutes to an hour.
The Louisiana Federation of Music Clubs (an affiliate of the National Federation of Music Clubs) has playing festivals to celebrate living composers. Every few years, NFMC publishes a bulletin of required pieces for various instruments types. For piano, students may participate in any of the following: SOLO, HYMN, FOLK/PATRIOTIC, LFO (specifically pieces of the pedagogical composer Lynn Freeman Olson). Students are to play one piece from the appropriate level in the NFMC bulletin and may choose one other appropriate leveled piano solo for a total of two repertoire pieces to be played for an evaluation with an adjudicator. This is a private performance in a piano studio/office at UL Lafayette School of Music. The teacher and parent(s) may not go into the playing room. Students accumulate points for achievement trophies every 3-5 years.
My thoughts: I have many students participate in this event. It’s a great way to play for evaluation and feedback without taking on a heavy load. It does take consistent practice and planning to meet the performance deadline.
Fee: $15/entry
Sonata & Sonatina Festival
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Students are assigned a specific time to play in the early afternoon. You can plan to be there 60-90 minutes.
I am excited to be working with the Lafayette Area Music Teachers to revive this lost tradition of a sonata & sonatina festival. With a long and rich history, sonatas and sonatinas (little sonatas) are a huge part of the classical piano playing tradition.
This event is an adjudicated recital. Students, and their guests, are welcome to listen to as many performances as they like. Performers prepare one movement from an appropriate leveled sonata or sonatina and play for a written critique, rating, certificate, and pin.
Students should be at least half way through Music Moves Student Book 1 before considering this event.
Fee: $15/entry
Piano Rally
April 20, 2024
Students are assigned the morning or the afternoon. The event takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete.
The District Rally is a musical event consisting of four parts: (1) performance, (2) sight reading, (3) keyboard musicianship, and (4) written theory, history and ear training. A student must participate in all four parts in order to be eligible to receive an award. Awards are given to first, second and third place winners, and an Outstanding Achievement award will be given to each student who achieves the qualifying score. Except for Preparatory A, students from each district who achieve the required scores are eligible to enter the Torgrimson/Swanzy Competition for Outstanding Students. All performance components are played for an evaluation with an adjudicator. This is a private performance in a piano studio/office at UL Lafayette School of Music. The teacher and parent(s) may not go into the playing room.
My thoughts: Rally is serious business, hard work, and academic. Consistent listening, practice at the piano, and worksheet/written assignments are used to prepare the student for the four components. If students are motivated by that, this can be a fun thrilling challenge. If not, it can be frustrating and painful. Rally is for students who have the time and desire to go deep diving into music study.
Fee: $30/entry