Young Musicians Festival Division Information & Registration


General Information

March 1 - 2, 2025

Saxe Middle School

468 South St New Canaan, CT


Important Dates

January 31, 2025: Registration Deadline

March 15, 2025: Video Submission Deadline

April 1, 2025: Application Error Reporting Deadline (Scores & Gold Cups Only)


Eligibility

  • Students must be 18 years of age or under
  • Applications must be filed by students' teachers.
  • Teachers must hold a current membership with the Schubert Club
  • Students must prepare pieces as per their division requirements 
  • Appropriate performance attire must be worn at the YMF 

  • Registration Details

    Performance

    Fee

    Solo/Concerto/Composition

    $30

    Duo/Duet/Trio/Ensemble/Quartet

    $50

    Special Requests*

    Fee

    DATE/VIDEO request

    (Families with one student)

    $20

    DATE/VIDEO request

    (Families with more than one student participating)

    $30


    How to Register

    Step 1: 

    Parents and Teachers: Teachers and parents must read the document titled Important Teacher & Parent Information before teachers access their YMF accounts and lodge their application(s).

    Step 2: 

    Teachers Only: Teachers must access their YMF Account by clicking Access Your YMF Account, in order to lodge their YMF application(s). It is imperative that teachers have read, have understood, and follow all the rules/requirements as set out in the Important Teacher & Parent Information document.

    ACTIVE MEMBER ACCESS ONLY

    PLEASE LOGIN BELOW OR ACTIVATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP


    Syllabi & Division Information

    Piano Division

    Piano Solo Performances

    Requirements:

    • Students must prepare and perform two (2) pieces from memory: one (1) from the YMF syllabus and one (1) piece of their choice which aligns with YMF competency levels.
    • The choice piece should not be acquired from the YMF syllabus.
    • Published scores must be provided to the judges - No photocopies allowed.
    • Entrants who receive a 5 rating should progress to a higher class in the following year except in the following cases:
      • A new required piece at the old level works best for that student.
      • The highest level class in an event may be entered repeatedly with a different required and choice piece.
    • The choice composition must be an original, published composition. Simplified arrangements of the classics are not acceptable. Folk songs, hymns, transcriptions, arrangements, or abridgements are not acceptable. Only complete compositions are acceptable.
    • Primary 1 choice pieces must be at least 12 measures long (not including repeats). For Primary 2 and above, choice pieces must be at least 16 measures in length.

    Piano Concerto Performances

    Requirements:

    • Published scores must be provided to the judges - No photocopies allowed.
    • Entrants in the concerto event are not required to play a choice piece. Only one movement of one concerto from the Syllabus of Required Pieces should be played.
    • Entrants must play one movement from the listed concerti in the Required Pieces Syllabus. No other work is required.

    • Memory is required.

    • Entrants must provide their own accompanists. The second piano part should be performed with the music. The accompanist should be available for the entire day of performance date.

    • Long passages in the accompaniment should be reduced. All cadenzas must be played in their entirety.

      Entrants may play in the same concerto level for two or more years providing they play a different movement from the listed concerti.

    • Entrants in the Senior 2 Concerto event may play one movement from any published classical concerto not included on the Junior and Senior 1 levels and not more than fifteen minutes in length without permission from the Registrar.

    • There are no specific rules for determining what Concerto level an entrant should play versus the Solo level. Teachers are reminded to use good judgment in choosing levels and pieces appropriate for the student.

    Piano Ensemble Performances

    Requirements:

    • Published scores must be provided to the judges - No photocopies allowed.
    • Entrants who receive a 5 rating should progress to a higher class in the following year except in the following cases:
      • A new required piece at the old level works best for that student.
      • The highest level class in an event may be entered repeatedly with a different required and choice piece.
    • The choice composition must be an original, published composition. Simplified arrangements of the classics are not acceptable. Folk songs, hymns, transcriptions, arrangements, or abridgements are not acceptable. Only complete compositions are acceptable.

    Rules for Piano Ensemble Events:

    • Entrants in all ensemble events must play a choice composition in addition to the required piece. The choice piece may be selected from the same collection or be composed by the same composer as the required piece. (Exception: Entrants in the Piano Quartet event are required to play only one piece from the Required Pieces Syllabus.
    • Every effort should be made to maintain a reasonable level between ensemble players. The solo level of the ensemble partners should be within two levels.
    • Memory is NOT required. Judges must be furnished a copy of the score.
    • Entrants must play one composition listed plus a choice composition that represents the same level of difficulty and does not appear in this Syllabus. The exception is Piano Quartet where no choice piece is required.
    • The choice and required compositions may be from the same collection and by the same composer.
    • There are no specific rules for determining what Duet, Duo or Quartet level an entrant should play versus the Solo level. Teachers are reminded to use good judgment in choosing levels and pieces appropriate for the student.
    • Teachers are asked to observe the following guidelines for time limits (combined required and choice compositions). If pieces are likely to exceed these limits (perhaps the required piece or concerto is a long one), please attach a note to the application for the Registrar.
      • Moderately Difficult - Difficult: 8 minutes
      • Very Difficult - Musically Advanced: 10 minutes
      • Concerti: 15 minutes
    • Repeats should generally be omitted.

    Strings Division

    Requirements

    • Students must prepare and perform two (2) pieces from memory. 
    • It is recommended that the two (2) pieces chosen are contrasting pieces with one (1) being a classical piece. Contrasting elements may include: tempo, rhythm, dynamics, texture, historical time period.

    Woodwinds/Brass Division

    Requirements

    • Students must prepare and perform two (2) pieces from memory.
    • It is recommended that the two (2) pieces chosen are contrasting pieces with one (1) being a classical piece. Contrasting elements may include: tempo, rhythm, dynamics, texture, historical time period.

    Voice Division

    Requirements

    • Students must prepare and perform two (2) pieces from memory.
    • It is recommended that the two (2) pieces chosen are contrasting pieces with one (1) being a classical piece. Contrasting elements may include: tempo, rhythm, dynamics, texture, historical time period.

    Harp Division

    Requirements

    • Students must prepare and perform two (2) pieces from memory.
    • It is recommended that the two (2) pieces chosen are contrasting pieces with one (1) being a classical piece. Contrasting elements may include: tempo, rhythm, dynamics, texture, historical time period.

    Syllabi

    Music Composition Division

    Important Information

    Contact Us

    For all inquiries please email us at [email protected]

    Complete information for the 2017 YMF is on the website:
    www.ymfestival.org
    The purpose of the Young Musicians Festival is to provide a noncompetitive
    performance environment for students of public school
    age. Teachers must be a member of the Schubert Club- non
    member teachers will submit a fee of $55.
    Students benefit by hearing other students of the same level
    perform, while practicing their performance skills by preparing
    two pieces from a YMF syllabus. These performances are
    adjudicated by two professionals who give written comments and
    a rating (1-5 points) on the students’ performances. Each
    performer receives a certificate according to their achievement
    rating. Points accumulate annually and are noted on the
    student's record. When 15 points have been acquired, the student
    receives a gold cup. Further points are accumulated toward a
    second or third gold cup.
    Any questions regarding applications should be directed to the
    YMF Chair, Registrar: Marjie Brake, 46 Glenarden Rd,
    Trumbull, Ct 06611
    203-590-3448
    Piano Chair: Marjie Brake [email protected]
    203-590-3448
    Voice Chair: Caroline Worra [email protected]
    917-544-8124
    Diane LaSala
    [email protected]
    203-834-9943
    Harp Chair: Wendy Kerner 203-554-0267
    [email protected]
    !23
    Composition Chair: James Kessler:
    [email protected] 914-843-3650
    Flute Chair: Moira Schur Craw 203-762-1245
    [email protected]
    Computer support: Steve Janofsky [email protected]
    Dates for YMF
    Piano: Saturday, March 11, 2018
    Sunday, March 12, 2018
    Saturday, March 18, 2018
    Sunday March 19, 2018
    1073 Benson Road, Fairfield, CT (Fairfield
    University)
    Voice: Saturday, January 28, 2018, 10 to 5 p.m.
    Sunday, January 29, 2018, 12 to 5 p.m.
    The Stanwich School
    257 Stanwich Road, Greenwich,CT
    Caroline Worra and Diane LaSala
    All other dates, places and fees will be announced on the
    website: www.ymfestival.org
    Piano: Saturday, March 11, 2018
    Sunday, March 12, 2018
    Saturday, March 18, 2018
    Sunday March 19, 2018
    1073 Benson Road, Fairfield, CT (Fairfield
    University)
    Voice: Saturday, January 28, 2018, 10 to 5 p.m.
    Sunday, January 29, 2018, 12 to 5 p.m.
    The Stanwich School
    257 Stanwich Road, Greenwich,CT
    Caroline Worra and Diane LaSala
    All other dates, places and fees will be announced on the
    website: www.ymfestival.org

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