MTNA Competitions

MMTA's parent organization, MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) holds highly-esteemed annual competitions.  There are two branches:  Performance, and Composition.  In addition, the MTNA-Stecher & Horowitz Two-Piano Competition is offered for pianists aged 19-29.

Learn about MTNA MTNA Competitions

From the MTNA Website:
 

"The MTNA National Student Competitions are the most successful and prestigious student competitions in the country Each year, thousands of students compete for top prizes and national recognition...

...The purpose of the Music Teachers National Association Performance competitions is to provide educational experiences for students and teachers and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence. The state competitions are considered the primary educational level with the division and national levels showcasing outstanding performance and honoring significant pedagogical achievement."

Contest, Exam, & Festival Information

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Performance Competition

Categories for this competition include:  piano, voice, brass, string, and woodwind.  Each includes a Junior, Senior, and Young Artist level.  There is also a separate Chamber Music category.  

The Performance Competition has three rounds:  State-Level (November), Division-Level (January), and National-Level (March).  Performers selected for the National-Level round compete at the MTNA National Conference in March.

Please note:  In addition to the registration fees paid to MTNA, MMTA requires payment of a $15 administration fee for the State-Level event.

Materials
Competition Guidelines - General
Performance Guidelines - General
Junior Performance Guidelines
Senior Performance Guidelines
Young Artist Performance Guidelines
Chamber Music Competition Guidelines

Composition Competition

Student composers are invited to submit digital scores of original works.  Submissions are judged at the State Level, and then may be selected to advance to Divisional- or National-Level rounds.  Composers selected for the National-Level round compete at the MTNA National Conference in March.

Materials
Competition Guidelines
Composition Guidelines

Two Piano Competition

Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz have spent their career performing works for two pianos.  They have joined with MTNA to create a two-piano competition for pianists aged 19-29.  This competition is based solely on performance, which is in contrast to the state- or divisional-based nature of other MTNA competitions.  

Student entries are submitted by video for the Preliminary Round.  Entrants chosen to move on will compete in-person at the MTNA National Conference in March.

Materials
Two Piano Competition Information