Young Artist Achievement Awards
Audition Details
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.
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Event: Saturday, May 11, 2024 (To Be Confirmed)
Category Competitions: Piano, Strings, Woodwinds
Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University
2400 Blakemore Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
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Winners Concerts: TBA
Turner Hall, Blair School of Music
Entry Deadline: April 15, 2024
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Application & Payment:
Teachers are responsible for notifying their students and accompanists (if applicable) of the audition schedule.
Fee: $25 for all entries. **NEW** Teachers can pay online by adding the amount of registrations needed to their cart from our Registration Page and pay directly on our site!
Or, teachers can write one check made payable to “NAMTA” with the memo "YAAA". Send the check to NAMTA Treasurer:
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Allison Ernst
5503A Tennessee Ave.
Nashville,TN 37209
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Guidelines and General Information
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 of the previous year’s YAAA competition are not allowed to enter the following year. See the list of the 2023 winners.
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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. 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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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.
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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. Maximum Performance Times: Grades K-5: 10 minutes Grades 6-8: 15 minutes Grades 9-12: 20 minutes. The judges may choose to start and stop any piece.
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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.
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Winners' Concerts
The Winners’ Concerts will also be adjudicated. Category winners from each instrumental/age category will perform one selection from their earlier round at one of the two Winner’s Concerts. One winner from grades K-6 and one from grades 7-12 will be chosen. We will make every effort to schedule instrumentalists’ auditions beginning early afternoon or late morning to help accommodate accompanists’ schedules.
Rules for Competition
Please refer to the section in the TMTA/MTNA Guidelines and Applications booklet “Rules Applicable to All Auditions.”
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Eligibility
Students qualify by receiving a superior rating in performance of standard category, and passing the NAMTA theory tests (grades 3-12) during the calendar year in which the superior is awarded.
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Classifications
Piano, Strings and Woodwinds Solo: 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. There is a string division, woodwinds division and a piano division for each age level.
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Awards
In addition to an opportunity for performance, each participant receives a critique from the judge(s). The winner(s) in each level will receive a Category Winner Plaque. Students compete only with other students within their grade division during auditions.
WINNERS’ CONCERT AWARDS: One “Grand Prize” winner will be chosen for grades K-6 and one winner for grades 7-12. The winner in grades K-6 will receive $150 and the winner in grades 7-12 will receive $300.
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 at the start of the Winners’ concert, so all entrants should plan to attend the concert and stay for performances within their age division. They will choose their selection for performance and announce it to the audience.
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Performance Scheduling
The schedule for performance of students will be mailed or 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 Festival.
Performance Times
Maximum Performance Times: Grades K-5: 10 minutes Grades 6-8: 15 minutes Grades 9-12: 20 minutes. The judges may choose to start and stop any piece.
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Application and Late Registration Fees
Any forms turned in after the deadline will incur a $5 late fee, to be paid by the teacher.
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Click to fill out the online application.
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