15TH Annual SNJ Studio Solo Competition
Rules & Procedures 2024

On Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 16, 2024 we will hold the 15th Annual SNJ Studio of Music Solo Competition for our private students of voice, piano, guitar/bass, strings, brass and woodwinds

 

Purpose

1.  To give students the educational opportunity to prepare a piece to performance level, present it before a live audience, and receive feedback from a panel of adjudicators.

2.  To feature outstanding SNJ Studio students in concert.

 

Eligibility

Any student currently enrolled at SNJ Studio of Music in private voice, piano, guitar/bass, brass, woodwinds or strings lessons is eligible to compete. Students from outside the studio are permitted to compete in the Duet/Small Ensemble division as long as at least one student is a currently enrolled in private student of SNJ Studio. Each contestant has the opportunity to win a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal, and the top ranked contestant in each division will be awarded the trophy for that division.

Senior Division winners will be presented as guest artists at the SNJ Studio Spring Concert on Saturday, April 28, 2024 at 7:00pm.

 

Application

Application deadline is Wednesday, March 27, 2024  

Entry fee is $22 per division/piece entered.

APPLY AT: SNJSTUDIOS.COM

 

 

Divisions – Students may enter more than one division (separate entrance fee applies).

 

Prelude Voice                                                                       Grades 4-5

Junior Voice-Classical                                                          Grades 6-8

Junior Voice – Contemporary                                           Grades 6-8

Intermediate Voice – Classical                                          Grades 9-10

Intermediate Voice – Contemporary                              Grades 9-10

Senior Voice – Classical                                                      Grades 11-12

Senior Voice – Contemporary Commercial                   Grades 11-12

Voice - Duet/Small Ensemble                                           Grades 6-8, 9-12

Adult                                                                                      College and beyond

 

Elementary Guitar              Grades 2-3                            Elementary Piano                Grades 2-3

Junior Guitar                        Grades 4-5                            Junior Piano                          Grades 4-5

Intermediate Guitar           Grades 6-8                            Intermediate Piano             Grades 6-8

Senior Guitar                        Grades 9-12                          Senior Piano                         Grades 9-12

 

Elementary Strings             Grades 2-3                            Junior Brass/Woodwinds                   Grades 4-5

Junior Strings                       Grades 4-5                            Intermediate Brass/Woodwinds      Grades 6-8

Intermediate Strings          Grades 6-8                            Senior Brass/Woodwinds                  Grades 9-12

Senior Strings                       Grades 9-12                         

 

Repertoire

Piano/Woodwinds/Brass/Strings - Students may choose from the standard classical repertoire for their instrument.

Guitar/Electric Bass – Students may choose from the standard contemporary commercial or classical repertoire.

Prelude Voice – Students may choose from the standard classical, musical theater and jazz repertoire.

Voice, Classical – Students may choose from art song, oratorio and opera/operetta repertoire.

Voice, Contemporary – Students may choose from musical theater/Broadway, pop or jazz repertoire.

Voice, Duet/Small Ensemble - Students may choose from the standard classical or contemporary commercial (musical theater, jazz, pop, a cappella, barbershop, etc.) repertoire.

 

Schedule                 

Students will be scheduled for a competition time as applications are received. The competition schedule will be posted on our website: snjstudios.com

Friday, afternoon/evening, April 5, 2024 – Strings, Brass/Woodwinds, Senior Voice, Duet/Small Group, Adult

Saturday, April 6, 2024 - Prelude Voice, Junior Voice, Intermediate Voice, Piano,  Guitar/Electric Bass

 

Adjudication

The Solo Competition will be judged by SNJ Studio faculty and guest adjudicators.  Adjudication criteria will include musical items such as accuracy, rhythm, tone quality and musicality; and professional items such as preparation, timeliness, and positive attitude. In keeping with the positive, educational nature of this competition, the judges will provide written comments/critiques to each contestant.  Comment sheets will be given to each teacher and will be available to the student at his/her next private lesson.

               

Students will be judged against a standard of excellence. Medals will be awarded for Gold, Silver, and Bronze ratings. Additionally, the scores in each category will be ranked and the 1st ranked contestant in each category will receive a trophy.

 

Competition Procedure

1. Competition will be held at SNJ Studio of Music’s main studio in Millard.  Students should plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to their scheduled time, warmed up and ready to perform. No warm-up rooms will be available.

2. Appropriate competition attire is expected. Women: dress, skirt/blouse or dressy pants outfit. Men: dress pants and shirt with tie and/or jacket.

3. Singers and instrumentalists requiring accompaniment must provide their own accompanist or an accompaniment track on an electronic device. Teachers may not accompany their students.

4. Competition selections must be memorized. 

5. Competition is open to audience members.

 

Competing can be an exciting (and potentially nerve-inducing!) experience.  Nerves are a reality for any student who likes to participate in music at any level. We hope this can be a great learning experience for participating students. We encourage parents to help their children prepare for the competition, and to provide a positive perspective about the results. 

 

Feel free to contact us with questions.  Thank you for sending your children to us at SNJ Studio of Music - we are enjoying them all!

 

Best of luck to you all! – Sharon North Jones, Executive Director