WMTA STATE KEYBOARD COMPETITION

2024 STATE KEYBOARD COMPETITION

WMTA offers students the opportunity to advance beyond the Regional Keyboard events, to play at the peak of their ability, and to showcase their musical talents.  

Eligible participants are the designated Regional Winners – S, NE, NW –  at grade levels 7-12.  

If the Winner at any grade level is not available, or does not choose to advance, the opportunity to play will be given to the Runner Up at that grade level.  If neither will participate, there is a default at that grade level, in that region. 

This competition determines the single grade level Winner for the state.

ON COMPETITION DAY:

• All performances will be held in the Recital Hall with a defined scheduled.
• Students will have scheduled warm-up times 30 min. prior to the student’s performance, 15 min. slots
• Three judges will listen to all entrants at each division at the same time.
• A 15 min. deliberation time immediately follows the last entrant at each division/grade level, with judging done by independent balloting, collaborating as necessary
• All Winners for all divisions/grade levels (there will be no Runner Up placements) will be announced at Awards Presentation at days end
• Points = 15 for Winner plus Winners Trophy, 10 for participants, and all receive certificates.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS:

• In the interest of equity, all performances are held to a strict 15 min. time limit.  
• Judges will cut off students if necessary to maintain the pre-determined schedule
• Teachers will choose repertoire that is in line with these requirements, and/or prep students to be cut off if their program exceeds 15 min.

These are Recital Hall performances, which are open to the public.  Anyone entering the Recital Hall will pay admission fees of $10/adult, $5 non-performing student, and under 5 free.

Any questions regarding WMTA State Keyboard Competition, contact Mary Anne Olvera, NCTM at maryanneolvera@gmail.com

STATE KEYBOARD COMPETITION FAQ’S

WILL THIS BE LIKE A LARGE RECITAL, WHERE WE GET TO SEE AND HEAR ALL OF THE FINALISTS?  

Yes, all performances are held in the Recital Hall and are open to the public. There will be admission (day passes) charged, $10 adults, $5 non-performing students, and under 5years old free.

WILL TEACHERS ALSO BE CHARGED ADMISSION?

Yes, anyone, including teachers, who wish to enter the Recital Hall and hear performances will be charged admission.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE REGIONAL WINNER CAN’T PARTICIPATE?

If this occurs at any region, the opportunity to perform falls to the Runner-Up at that grade level.  If the Runner-Up can’t participate, or there was no designated Runner-Up, there is a default at the grade level in that region.

WILL THERE BE ONLY ONE JUDGE?

There will be 3 judges adjudicating at the same time for all grade levels.

HOW IS THE JUDGING DONE?

Judging is done by independent balloting, collaborating as needed (in the event of a tie)

WILL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO WARM-UP ROOMS WITH GRAND PIANOS?

Yes, students will have 15 min. scheduled warm-up times, 30 minutes prior to their performance.  Warm-up room schedules start at 7:30

WHAT DOES THE SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?

The schedule is pre-determined, with a start time at 8:00 in grade 7.  There are 15 minutes allotted for each participant and a 15 min. deliberation time after all entrants at the grade level.  

In the interest of equity, each region is rotated for the start position in the next grade.

ARE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES REQUIRED TO STAY FOR THE WHOLE DAY?

Students are not required to stay for the whole day, but all are strongly encouraged to attend as many performances as they can.  These students are playing at the peak of their ability, and this is not only highly motivating for students, it is also highly instructive.

WHEN WILL WINNERS AND AWARDS BE ANNOUNCED?

After all participants have performed, after the last participant at grade 12 , and after deliberations are complete, the winners will be announced.  They are not announced at the end of each grade level.

We will be posting to the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association FB page, and to the WMTA website.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE STUDENT CANNOT STAY TO THE END OF THE DAY TO HEAR THE AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT?

If students need to leave prior to the Awards presentation, they should find the Event Chair and let her know.  Students will be contacted if they are winners.

WHAT DO JUDGES LISTEN FOR AT THIS LEVEL OF COMPETITION?

Every student performing has already distinguished themselves in their Regional competitions.  This competition requires them to demonstrate a higher degree of mastery of this repertoire.  They need to come to this with fresh ears.

Students will be evaluated on the preparedness and mastery of their pieces, NOT the difficulty and NOT the length.

Aside from precise notes and rhythms, some examples of what judges listen for are beautiful phrasing and musical statements, expressive creative dynamics, beautiful tone color, rubato well performed where needed, balanced and creative voicing, artful articulation as noted in the score.

This is a competition in search of the masterful musician, the student that understands that flawless technique is not the end game, but a tool to deliver beautiful music making.

SHOULD TEACHERS MAKE CUTS TO THE SCORE IF THEIR PROGRAM EXCEEDS 15 MINUTES?

No, judges will respectfully cut the student off, but teachers can prep students for being cut off when their program exceeds 15 minutes.

IF STUDENTS ARE CUT OFF, CAN YOU STILL WIN IF THE JUDGES HAVE NOT HEARD ALL THREE PIECES IN THEIR ENTIRETY?

Yes, judges can certainly determine a winner even though all repertoire may  not have been heard to completion.  A winning performance is not dependent on the length of the piece, nor its difficulty.  Students are evaluated on the preparedness and master of their pieces, NOT the difficulty, and NOT the length.

AT THIS LEVEL, IT SEEMS LIKE 15 MIN. IS TOO SHORT.  WHY CAN’T  STUDENTS PREPARE LONGER PROGRAMS?

The 15 minute time limit is in place to create equity for every single student that is playing.  If a student wishes to prepare larger repertoire, they must also be prepared to be respectfully cut off.  (And parents and students are reminded that most college entrance auditions are capped at 10 min)

IF THE WINNER OR THE RUNNER-UP DO NOT PERFORM FOR THAT GRADE, THEN IS THE WINNER FROM THE REGIONALS STILL THE WINNER OF THE STATE?

The grade level winner at Regionals was never the winner of the state.  They were the winner of the REGION of the state only.  That is what this State Competition is all about – it is the opportunity for regional grade level winners to meet the other regional grade level winners and compete, thereby determining one true winner at grade level in the state.  The Regional competitions do not do this.

If there are any additional questions contact Mary Anne Olvera,  maryanneolvera@gmail.com