National Guild of Piano Teachers Auditions
(Sponsored by American College of Musicians)

* * * Be part of the largest piano audition program in the world! * * *

DATES: TBD (dates approximate)

LOCATION: TBD, Matthews, NC 28105

Your child's audition date and time will be announced in late April. The audition schedule will require students to get out of school during the day--auditions are usually held between 9 AM and 4 PM daily, Monday through Saturday. SCHOOL PERMISSION LETTER: A letter (stating the National Guild Auditions date, time and location) will be given to the student in advance so that the student may be excused from school activities during that time.

Guild audition requirements vary according to level of advancement and level of program chosen:  students may present 2-3 memorized pieces plus IMMT for Local level program; 4-6 memorized pieces plus IMMT for District level program; 7-9 memorized pieces plus IMMT for State level program; 10-14 memorized pieces plus IMMT for National level program; 15-20 memorized pieces plus IMMT for International level program.

IMMT (Irreducible Minimum Musicianship Test) scales and cadences MUST be played in keys of all pieces programmed at all levels.

Additional musicianship phases may be presented in place of a certain number of programmed compositions, depending on level. These musicianship phases include playing scales, chords, cadences and arpeggios in keys other than those programmed, ear training, transposition, improvisation and sightreading.

The decision of the judge is final. There is nothing a parent or teacher can or should try to do to change a rating. 

Please ask me for details.

RATINGS: The total number of check marks awarded in two vertical columns determines the ratings.

* C Column: Special Commendation
* A Column: Needs Attention

ROOM CIRCLE RATING SCORES (Student is prepared to perform before non-critical peers in a classroom setting at school.)

* GOOD: 1 more C than A check
* GOOD: 2 more C than A checks
* GOOD: 3 more C than A checks
* GOOD: 4 more C than A checks
* VERY GOOD: 5 more C than A checks
* VERY GOOD: 6 more C than A checks

SCHOOL CIRCLE RATING SCORES (Student has prepared and performed well enough to represent his/her school in a local musical program.)

* EXCELLENT: 7 more C than A checks
* EXCELLENT: 8 more C than A checks
* EXCELLENT: 9-10 more C than A checks

CITYWIDE CIRCLE RATING SCORES (Student is very polished and qualifies him/her to represent a school in a citywide competition.)

* EXCELLENT PLUS: 11 more C than A checks
* EXCELLENT PLUS: 12-13 more C than A checks
* SUPERIOR MINUS: 14-17 more C than A checks
* SUPERIOR: 18-21 more C than A checks
* SUPERIOR: 22-27 more C than A checks

TOP-TALENT CIRCLE RATING SCORES (Student illustrates he/she is a musically and technically superior pianist, qualified to perform anywhere before a critical audience, including newspaper critics.)

* SUPERIOR PLUS: 28-35 more C than A checks
* SUPERIOR PLUS: 36-43 more C than A checks
* SUPERIOR PLUS: 44 (or more) C than A checks