The Nashville Area Music Teachers Association established the Young Artist Achievement Awards in 1986 for the purpose of inspiring high achieving music students in the Nashville area and to give them recognition. Students can use YAAA as a system for continuously measuring achievement in music study. The awards offer opportunities for establishing the best possible standards in the art of teaching and performing. It is also excellent preparation for the state competition. All students and teachers benefit from hearing the Winners’ Concert performers!

Requirements

Grand Prize Winners and Category Winners may only win a specific Category or Grand Prize once. Students are eligible to compete in the next Category or older division of the Grand Prize.

1. This event is open to all students of NAMTA teachers who participated in the Performance Auditions, earned a rating of Superior, and passed a theory test. (The theory test requirement is suspended for 2026.) All participants must have studied with their teacher/co-teachers for a minimum of six months prior to the NAMTA auditions, and must still be with the same teacher/co- teachers at the time of YAAA.

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2. Repertoire will include two pieces from DIFFERENT periods. One of the pieces must be selected repertoire performed at the most recent NAMTA audition. The second piece may be a new piece OR may be an old piece – that choice is at the discretion of the teacher. No changes will be made after the registration deadline. Please refer to TMTA for memorization requirements for each instrument.

3. Time of performance allowed reflects the TMTA requirements and will depend on entry level and scheduling. However, time is not the essence of the quality of the student’s performance.

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Maximum Performance Times:

Grades K-4: 10 minutes

Grades 5-8: 15 minutes

Grades 9-12: 20 minutes.

 

The judges may choose to start and stop any piece.

4. Each contestant must bring one copy of each selection to be played for the judges (see NAMTA policies regarding photocopied music) with measures numbered. The student may choose the first piece to perform. Students must be prepared to play all selections submitted, but must also be prepared to omit any section(s) at the judge’s discretion.

Winners Concert: 3 Division Grand Prize Winners Chosen

NEW THIS YEAR: One Grand Prize Winner will be chosen from the following groups: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Ensembles are not eligible for the Grand Prize. The Winners’ Concert will also be adjudicated. Category winners from each solo instrumental division will perform one selection from their earlier round at the Winners’ Concert. We will make every effort to accommodate accompanists’ schedules.

Eligibility
Students qualify by receiving a Superior rating at the NAMTA Performance Auditions. (Theory test requirements are suspended for 2026.)

Classifications
Piano, Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Voice, and Ensemble Categories: There are six entry levels, determined by age and grade, beginning with Kindergarten and ending with Grade 12: K – 2, 3 –4, 5 – 6, 7 – 8, 9 -10, 11-12. Ensembles will enter the category of their average grade. Ensembles are not eligible for the Grand Prize.

Awards
In addition to an opportunity for performance, each participant receives a critique from the judge(s). The winner in each category will receive a certificate. Students compete only with other students within their grade division during auditions.

WINNERS’ CONCERT AWARDS:
Elementary Grand Prize K-5: $100
Junior Grand Prize 6-8: $200
Senior Grand Prize 9-12: $300

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Judges have the right to declare “no winner” in any category. The judge’s decision is final. Those chosen as Winners in each of the six categories on the day of YAAA auditions will then perform in the Winners’ Concerts. Category winners will be announced before the Winners’ concert. They will choose their selection for performance and announce it to the audience.

Performance Scheduling
The schedule for performance of students will be emailed to each teacher. Please limit changes to the schedule, if possible. ALL changes must be turned into the Scheduling Chairman two weeks before the event.

Performance Times
Maximum Performance Times: Grades K-4: 10 minutes Grades 5-8: 15 minutes Grades 9-12: 20 minutes. The judges may choose to start and stop any piece.