OhioMTA/Graves Piano Solo & Ensemble Contest

IMPORTANT UPDATE – JANUARY 12, 2021

This year’s Graves competition WILL take place – virtually.  There are many details to be considered as we move forward with the event, and they will be posted here as soon as possible.  The deadline has been extended – new date TBA.

This competition, administered by the Central East District and sponsored by Graves Piano & Organ Company, awards prizes totaling $4,500. It showcases a high level of artistry.

Dates: Saturday, March 6 & Sunday, March 7, 2021
Winners Recital: March 14, 2021

Location:
Graves Piano & Organ Company
5798 Karl Rd. (at Rt. 161)
Columbus, OH 43229
(614) 847-4322

Registration Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2021, 9 PM EST
Deadline extended – new date TBA

Rules, Regulations & Registration
Online entry form must be submitted by 9:00 pm EST on Friday, January 15, 2021.
(link not available yet – contact the chairman)
Paper registrations will not be accepted.

Solo Categories and Prizes

Elementary
(6 to 10 years old as of 3/1/21)
1st place $200 – 2nd place $100 – 3rd place $75 – 4th place $50

Junior
(11 to 14 years old as of 3/1/21)
1st place $300 – 2nd place $150 – 3rd place $75 – 4th place $50

Senior
(15 to 18 years old as of 3/1/21)
1st place $400 – 2nd place $200 – 3rd place $100 – 4th place $50

Young Artist
(19 to 26 years old as of 3/1/21)
1st place $500 – 2nd place $200

Duet/Duo Categories and Prizes (per team)

Elementary
(6 to 10 years old as of 3/1/21)
1st place $200 – 2nd place $100

Junior
(11 to 14 years old as of 3/1/21)
1st place $300 – 2nd place $150

Senior
(15 to 18 years old as of 3/1/21)
1st place $400 – 2nd place $200

Adult
(19 years and older as of 3/1/21)
1st place $500 – 2nd place $200

Rules and Regulations
Please read carefully and provide a copy for students and parents.

  • This is a statewide piano event open to both current OhioMTA members and non-members and their students.
  • Non-member teachers must live within the state of Ohio.
  • OhioMTA teachers must have paid their dues by January 15, 2021 to be considered active members.
  • All entrants, except Adult Duet/Duo, must have studied with their present teacher at least six of the nine months preceding the date of the competition.
  • First place winners in every category are not eligible to enter the same category in the following year.
  • The Chairman reserves the right to cancel any category competition with fewer than two entrants.
  • Rehearsing is prohibited in the Graves Recital Hall.
  • Teachers may not assist their students in any manner during the competition.
  • Entrants must be prepared to play either Saturday or Sunday.
  • Students may compete in both solo and duet/duo categories if eligible.
  • Duet/duo entrants may compete with only one partner.
  • Duet/duo members do not have to study with the same teacher.
  • Duet/duo teams must compete in the older team member’s category.
  • For duos, the pianos will be side-by-side (not dove-tailed).
  • A clean printed/published copy of the music must be provided to the judges. Photocopies will only be accepted with a completed “Copyright Representation and Indemnification Agreement for Use of Downloaded/Computer-Generated Music” form attached to the music.  Violators will be disqualified. Contact the chairman for the form.
  • All measures must be numbered.
  • Audio recording, video recording and photography are not permitted during the competition.

Repertoire Guidelines, Time Limits and Entry Fees

Solo Repertoire

  • Only original compositions for the piano are acceptable.
  • Memorization is required.
  • Entrants must play only one composition. More than one movement from the same suite, sonatina, or sonata is counted as one composition as long as the time limit is not exceeded. Also, more than one selection from the same Opus is counted as one as long as the time limit is not exceeded.
  • Concerti are not eligible repertoire.
  • Compositions cannot be changed once submitted.
  • Teachers, parents and contestants are to have no communication with the judges before, during, or after the competition. Contacting the judges could be cause for disqualification from the contest.

Young Artist Solo Repertoire

  • Young Artist entrants must play two pieces from two contrasting style periods within the performance time limit.
  • Memorization is required.

Solo Time Limits and Entry Fees
Elementary: up to 5 minutes – $40 Member/$80 Non-member
Junior: up to 8 minutes – $45 Member/$90 Non-member
Senior: up to 10 minutes – $50 Member/$100 Non-member
Young Artist: up to 20 minutes – $60 Member/$120 Non-member

Duet/Duo Repertoire

  • Original compositions, arrangements, and transcriptions are acceptable.
  • Concerto arrangements are not eligible repertoire.
  • Teams may play duet music, duo music, or some of each.
  • Memorization is NOT required.
  • Each entrant’s music must be a printed/published copy.

Duet/Duo Time Limits and Entry Fees
Elementary: up to 6 minutes – $50 Member/$100 Non-member
Junior :up to 8 minutes – $50 Member/$100 Non-member
Senior: up to 12 minutes – $50 Member/$100 Non-member
Adult: up to 18 minutes – $60 Member/$120 Non-member

For a representative selection of appropriate literature for each performance level, please email the chairman.

Winners’ Awards Recital
First and second place winners from the elementary, junior, senior solo, and duet/duo categories will be expected to play in the Winners’ Awards Recital on Sunday, March 14, 2021 beginning at approximately 2:00 P.M. in the Graves Recital Hall. First and second place winners from the Young Artist and Adult Duet Divisions are also invited to perform in the Winners’ Awards Recital. Students will perform one of their competition pieces.

Competition Chair
Kathleen Sadoff
Chairman, CEOhioMTA/Graves Piano Competition
5006 Cadogan Place
New Albany, OH 43054
thesadoffs@sbcglobal.net

Decisions of the competition chairman regarding eligibility and repertoire are final.

Updated January 12, 2021