2024–2025 Competition Guidelines

Registration is now closed!

Registration for Composition, Piano, Piano Duet, Strings and Woodwinds will open in August 2024.

Registration for Chamber Music, Brass and Voice Competitions will open November 1, 2024.

The three-tiered Performance Competitions (not including Senior Brass/ Voice and Young Artist Brass/Voice) begin with State Competitions. States have the option to hold live or video competitions. Search for your state  to verify the type of competition and other details. The winners/representatives of each state’s competitions advance to a video-only Division Competition. All videos at that level will receive comments from the judges. Division winners/representatives will compete in person at the National Finals during the annual MTNA National Conference. In the event that the MTNA National Conference is cancelled, the finals will be a video round.

Competitions

Elementary (Composition Only)

• Age: 5–10 on January 1, 2025
• Entry Fee: $50

Junior

• Age: 11–14 on January 1, 2025
• Competitions: Composition, Piano, String and Woodwind
• Performance Entry Fee: $80
  • Division Video Submission Fee: $25 paid directly to Acceptd
• Composition Entry Fee: $70

Senior

• Age: 15–18 on January 1, 2025
• Piano Duet (one piano/four hands) Age: 11–18 on January 1, 2025, with at least one student age 15–18
• Competitions: Composition, Brass, Piano, Piano Duet, String, Voice and Woodwind
• Performance Entry Fee: $110
• Division Video Submission Fee: $25 paid directly to Acceptd
• Performance Entry Fee (Brass and Voice): $135 paid directly to Acceptd (includes $25 Acceptd fee)
• Composition Entry Fee: $100

Young Artist

• Age: 19–26 on January 1, 2025
• Competitions: Composition, Brass, Piano, String, Voice and Woodwind
• Performance Entry Fee: $120
• Division Video Submission Fee: $25 paid directly to Acceptd
• Performance Entry Fee (Brass and Voice): $145 paid directly to Acceptd (includes $25 Acceptd fee)
• Composition Entry Fee: $100

Chamber Music (3–6 performers)

• Age: Ensemble members must be 18–29 on January 1, 2025
• Competitions: String and Wind
• Entry Fee: $145 paid directly to Acceptd (includes $25 Acceptd fee) for each ensemble
• Video Submission Fee: $25 paid directly to Acceptd

The National Finals of the competitions are March 15–19, 2025, in Minneapolis Minnesota.

Entrant Requirements

The following requirements must be met by the registration deadline; otherwise, the entrant is not eligible to enter the competitions.

Each entrant must:

• Study with a teacher who is (1) a member of MTNA or (2) pay the Nonmember Teacher Fee of $150.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or hold a U.S. visa or permanent residence card (green card), which is valid throughout the competition year.
• Reside in the U.S. during the competition year.
• Meet age requirements as specified for each competition.

Entrants may enter any MTNA competitions for which they are eligible. Entrants may enter each individual competition in only one state according to the following:

Solo and Composition Competitions:

• Enter either (1) in the state where the entrant has permanent residence or (2) in the state where the instruction takes place. For distance learning, the state where the instruction takes place is defined as where the entrant is located during Zoom, FaceTime lessons or similar means of instruction.

Piano Duet Competitions:

• Enter either (1) in the state where at least one member of the duet team has permanent residence or (2) in the state where the instruction takes place. For distance learning, the state where the instruction takes place is defined as where the duet team is located during Zoom, FaceTime lessons or similar means of instruction. If the permanent residence of the team involves two different states, the teacher(s) determines the state of entry.

Teacher Requirements

• Teachers must be aware of the entrant requirements.
• The teacher listed on the registration is the teacher of record and shall remain so during the competition year. In the event the entrant changes teachers during the competition year, both teachers, past and present, will be listed as the teachers of record. Any exception is at the sole discretion of the MTNA Director of Competitions in consultation with the Competitions Committee, but in no event will the entrant be disqualified as a result of a teacher change.
• The teacher and the entrant may not be the same individual.
• Teachers must reside in the U.S. during the competition year.

MTNA Member Teachers

• Current active membership dues for MTNA must be paid prior to accessing the competition registration. MTNA members are not required to be members in the state of entry.
• An MTNA collegiate member must pay active membership dues to enter students.

Nonmember Teachers

• Nonmembers teachers entering students are encouraged to pay current active membership dues for MTNA or entrants will be assessed the $150 Nonmember Teacher fee at the time of Registration.

Additional State Fees

• Additional fees may be levied by some MTNA state affiliates. Entrants will be contacted by the affiliate if a fee is required. No entrant will be disqualified for nonpayment of the state fee.

Competition Agreement

• Entrant, parents/guardians and teacher have read, understand and agree to the Guidelines for the 2024–2025 MTNA Competitions. Failure to abide by these rules and regulations will make the entrant ineligible to receive recognition or awards.
• Entrants under age 18 have parent/guardian permission to enter MTNA competitions.
• Credit card holder has authorized use to complete the registration.
• All entry fees are non-refundable.
• Entrant will abide by all copyright laws and has permission to use all music given to judges and collaborative pianists during the competitions as outlined here.
• MTNA is not responsible for problems with Internet service or phones.

2025 National Rehearsals, Competitions and Winners Concerts: Minneapolis, Minnesota

MTNA Student Competitions Registration Instructions

Entry fees are non-refundable.

Information needed for Registration:

• Complete repertoire information (movement numbers, tempo markings of the movements and exact timings)
• Entrant and teacher names, address, telephone number(s), e-mail address of entrant, parent, teacher
• Valid credit card number and security code or PayPal account

Registration is now closed!

Registration for Composition, Piano, Piano Duet, Strings and Woodwinds will open in August 2024.

Registration for Chamber Music, Brass and Voice Competitions will open November 1, 2024.