Student Activities

MMTA Collegiate Competition Information

Mississippi Arts Commission

MMTA Collegiate Competitions are supported by a grant from Mississippi Arts Commission

Spring 2022 Collegiate Competition Booklet (PDF)

Spring 2021 Collegiate Competition Results (PDF)

2021-2022 MTNA Competitions Results (PDF)

State Level
Revised February 2023

This document replaces all MMTA Collegiate requirements prior to February 2023.

ABOUT THIS COMPETITION

Mississippi Music Teachers Association

The MMTA Collegiate Competition is designed to recognize and award talented college music students whose teachers are current members of the MTNA and MMTA. This competition is divided into categories and divisions regarding age, instrumentation, and genre.

Graduate level categories are eligible for students who have completed an undergraduate degree, are enrolled in a graduate program, and who are at a maximum age of 35 by February 15 of the competition year.


COMPETITION PROCEDURE

A first and second place winner will be named in each area. At the discretion of the judge(s), honorable mention may also be named. Winners in each category of the state college competitions will receive medals and/or certificates.

Music used by the competitor, collaborative pianist, and adjudicator must be presented to the Vice President for Competitions or designee by the competitor at least thirty (30) minutes prior to performance time. All solo performance entrants and each entering ensemble must provide a single hard copy score (original preferred) of each work listed on the application for use by the judge(s). Legal photocopies are acceptable. Music for the adjudicator must have the measures numbered at the beginning of each system. Entrant will abide by all copyright laws and has permission to use all music given to judges and collaborative pianists during the competitions as outlined here. Legal photocopies will also require a signed Release Form (the Vice President for Competitions or designee will have blank copies available at the competition). For more information on copyright, see MTNA and Copyright FAQs. Solo instrumentalists may submit either the solo part or the complete score. Any teacher's name on scores MUST be covered. (Post-It notes lightly taped down over the name are a helpful, non-permanent option.)


COMPETITION CATEGORIES & REQUIREMENTS

CATEGORIES: Voice, Piano, Instrumental (brass, woodwinds, percussion, strings, or guitar)

A category with fewer than 3 applicants may be cancelled at the discretion of the chair in consultation with the MMTA President or President-elect. Categories also may be combined, when amenable to all parties. In this case, students have the right of refusal and refund.

DIVISIONS: Freshman/Sophomore Solo, Junior/Senior Solo, Emerging Artist Solo, Graduate Solo, Freshman/Sophomore Jazz Solo, Junior/Senior Jazz Solo, Freshman/Sophomore Jazz Ensemble, Junior/Senior Jazz Ensemble, Freshman/Sophomore Chamber, Junior/Senior Chamber, Undergraduate Orchestra Concerto/Aria, Graduate Orchestra Concerto/Aria.

DUPLICATE REPERTOIRE RULE APPLICABLE TO ALL ENTRANTS IN ALL DIVISIONS:
STUDENTS ENTERING IN MULTIPLE DIVISIONS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER DIFFERENT COMPOSITIONS IN EACH DIVISION. NO STUDENT MAY PERFORM THE SAME COMPOSITION, OR MOVEMENT THEREOF, IN MORE THAN ONE DIVISION.


Freshman/Sophomore Solo Division

Only students who are at the freshman/sophomore level of study in the instrument or voice may participate in this category. Entrants are limited to ten (10) minutes, which includes any time spent tuning. The duplicate repertoire rule applies. Specific repertoire requirements are as follows:

VOICE Entrants will sing two art songs of contrasting styles from different periods of song literature, performed in the original language. One song must be in English and the second must be in a language other than English. This division is designed for the performance of art songs, not opera or oratorio arias. All selections must be memorized.

PIANO Entrants will perform one composition (memorized) of their choice. This may be one movement of a multi-movement work.

INSTRUMENTAL Open to brass, classical guitar, all orchestral percussion, string and woodwind instruments. Entrants will perform any published solo of their choice. The selection may be an original work for the instrument or a transcription, at the discretion of the applied instructor, and if conceived with an accompaniment, must be performed with the accompaniment. Memorization is optional.


Junior/Senior Solo Division

Only students who are at the junior or senior level of study in the instrument or voice are eligible for this category. The time limits are as follows: voice, ten (10) minutes; all other instruments, fifteen (15) minutes, which includes any time spent tuning. In each performance (voice and piano) the entrant will select one of the compositions listed, and the adjudicator will select another. The adjudicator will hear enough of both in the allotted time to make an evaluation, and should, as time allows, hear the third selection. In all other instruments, the entrant will select the order of the selections performed. The duplicate repertoire rule applies.

Specific repertoire requirements are as follows:

VOICE Vocal selections will be three (3) contrasting art songs in three different languages from different periods of song literature, all performed in the original language. One selection must be in English. All songs must be art songs, not opera or oratorio arias. All selections must be memorized.

PIANO Three (3) solo selections (single movements are acceptable) representing at least two (2) contrasting styles chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and the Contemporary periods are required. All compositions must be memorized with the exception of Avant Garde works composed after 1950.

INSTRUMENTAL Open to brass, classical guitar, all orchestral percussion, string and woodwind instruments. Entrants will perform two compositions from contrasting periods. One of the compositions must be an original work for the instrument. The other composition may be a transcription, although arrangements and transcriptions are to be avoided if at all possible. Compositions originally conceived with an accompaniment must be performed with accompaniment. Memorization is optional.


Emerging Artist Solo Division

Older undergraduate students (ages 26-30) are eligible for this category. The time limits are as follows: voice, ten (10) minutes; all other instruments, fifteen (15) minutes, which includes any time spent tuning. In each performance (voice and piano) the entrant will select one of the compositions listed, and the adjudicator will select another. The adjudicator will hear enough of both in the allotted time to make an evaluation, and should, as time allows, hear the third selection. In all other instruments, the entrant will select the order of the selections performed. The duplicate repertoire rule applies.

Specific repertoire requirements are as follows:

VOICE Vocal selections will be three (3) contrasting art songs in three different languages from different periods of song literature, all performed in the original language. One selection must be in English. All songs must be art songs, not opera or oratorio arias. All selections must be memorized.

PIANO Three (3) solo selections (single movements are acceptable) representing at least two (2) contrasting styles chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and the Contemporary periods are required. All compositions must be memorized with the exception of Avant Garde works composed after 1950.

INSTRUMENTAL Open to brass, classical guitar, all orchestral percussion, string and woodwind instruments. Entrants will perform two compositions from contrasting periods. One of the compositions must be an original work for the instrument. The other composition may be a transcription, although arrangements and transcriptions are to be avoided if at all possible. Compositions originally conceived with an accompaniment must be performed with accompaniment. Memorization is optional.


Undergraduate Orchestra Concerto/Aria Division

Open to all undergraduate students in brass, classical guitar, percussion, piano, string, voice, and woodwind areas. Instrumental and vocal categories will be judged separately. Performance time allotted is fifteen (15) minutes for all areas except voice, which has ten (10) minutes. Lengthy compositions may be programmed with the understanding that the adjudicator may stop the performance prior to completion. The duplicate repertoire rule applies.

Specific repertoire requirements are as follows:

PIANO A movement (memorized) of a concerto for piano, or a composition originally composed for piano and orchestra

VOICE One (1) vocal aria from an opera, oratorio or classical cantata, sung in the original language and in the original key

INSTRUMENTAL One (1) movement of a concerto for the solo instrument and orchestra, or a composition originally composed for that instrument and orchestra. Memorization is preferred.


Graduate Orchestra Concerto/Aria Division

Open to students who are enrolled in graduate programs in brass, classical guitar, percussion, piano, strings, voice, and woodwind areas, or to undergraduate students who exceed the age of 25. Instrumental and vocal categories will be judged separately. Performance time allotted is fifteen (15) minutes for all areas except voice, which has ten (10) minutes. Lengthy compositions may be programmed with the understanding that the adjudicator may stop the performance prior to completion. The duplicate repertoire rule applies. Teachers are not allowed to accompany their own students in the Graduate OrchestraConcerto/Aria Division.

Specific repertoire requirements are as follows:

PIANO A movement (memorized) of a concerto for piano, or a composition originally composed for piano and orchestra

VOICE One (1) vocal aria from an opera, oratorio or classical cantata, sung in the original language and in the original key

INSTRUMENTAL One (1) movement of a concerto for the solo instrument and orchestra, or a composition originally composed for that instrument and orchestra. Memorization is preferred.


GRADUATE SOLO DIVISION

Open to students who are enrolled in graduate programs in the instrument or voice, or to undergraduate students who exceed the age of 25. The time limits are as follows: voice, fifteen (15) minutes; all other instruments, twenty (20) minutes, which includes any time spent tuning. In each performance (voice and piano) the entrant will select one of the compositions listed, and the adjudicator will select another. The adjudicator will hear enough of both in the allotted time to make an evaluation, and should, as time allows, hear the third selection. In all other instruments, the entrant will select the order of the selections performed. The duplicate repertoire rule applies.

Specific repertoire requirements are as follows:

VOICE Vocal selections will be five (5), contrasting art songs in three different languages from different periods of song literature, all performed in the original language. One selection must be in English. All songs must be art songs, not opera or oratorio arias. All selections must be memorized.

PIANO Solo selections (single movements are acceptable) representing at least three (3) contrasting styles chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and the Contemporary periods are required. All compositions must be memorized with the exception of Avant Garde works composed after 1950.

INSTRUMENTAL Open to brass, classical guitar, all orchestral percussion, string and woodwind instruments. Entrants will perform three (3) compositions from contrasting periods. One of the compositions must be an original work for the instrument. The other composition may be a transcription, although arrangements and transcriptions are to be avoided if at all possible. Compositions originally conceived with an accompaniment must be performed with accompaniment. Memorization is optional.


JAZZ SOLO DIVISION

The Jazz Solo Division is open to all instruments and voice. Recorded accompaniments are acceptable. Stereo systems will be provided for recorded accompaniments (CDs are required for instrumentalists, tapes are acceptable for vocalists.) Recorded accompaniments may not be duplications of copyrighted materials. Students must supply their own accompaniment CDs and/or tapes for competition. Contestants are not required to supply scores or lead sheets for the adjudicator.

Freshman/Sophomore Jazz Solo

Only students who are at the freshman/sophomore level of study in voice or instrument are eligible for this category. Contestants are limited to ten (10) minutes. All selections must be memorized. The duplicate repertoire rule applies.

Specific repertoire requirements are as follows:

VOICE A medium to fast tempo 32-bar standard songform and a ballad

INSTRUMENTAL A standard 32-bar songform and a 12-bar blues

Junior/Senior Jazz Solo

Only students who are at the junior or senior level of study in the instrument or voice are eligible for this category. Contestants are limited to fifteen (15) minutes. In each performance the entrant will select one of the compositions listed, and the adjudicator will select another. The adjudicator will hear enough of both in the allotted time to make an evaluation, and should, as time allows, hear the third selection. All selections must be memorized. The duplicate repertoire rule applies.

Specific repertoire requirements are as follows:

VOICE A medium to fast tempo 32-bar standard song form, a ballad, and a vocal scat improvisation on a standard 32-bar (minimum) song form.

INSTRUMENTAL A medium to fast tempo 32-bar standard song form, a 12-bar blues and a ballad

Small Jazz Ensemble Division

Ensemble personnel must consist entirely of students and may range from 2-9 players, open instrumentation, with no recorded accompaniments. Only if a published arrangement is being performed must an original score or lead sheet be supplied to the adjudicator.

Freshman/Sophomore Small Jazz Ensemble

Open to ensembles whose members are all at the freshman/sophomore level of study in the instrument or voice. At least two members must improvise solos. Contestants are limited to twelve (12) minutes. The duplicate repertoire rule applies.

Specific repertoire requirements are as follows:

VOCAL FEATURE A medium to fast tempo 32-bar standard song form and a ballad

INSTRUMENTAL FEATURE A standard 32-bar song form and a 12-bar blues

Junior/Senior Small Jazz Ensemble

Open to ensembles who have a least one member at the junior/senior level of study in the instrument or voice. At least two members must improvise solos. Contestants are limited to twenty (20) minutes. The duplicate repertoire rule applies.

Specific requirements are as follows:

VOCAL FEATURE A medium to fast tempo 32-bar standard song form, a ballad, and a vocal scat improvisation on a standard 32-bar (minimum) song form

INSTRUMENTAL FEATURE A medium to fast tempo 32-bar standard song form, a 12-bar blues and a ballad


Chamber Music Division

All contestants in the ensemble will be judged on an equal basis. The ensemble must consist of at least two (2) performers and may have no more than eight (8) performers. Ensembles may be of any combination of students in piano, voice, classical guitar, brass, percussion, strings, and woodwind instruments. However, ensembles of three (3) or more pianos are not permitted. The core of the ensemble must remain the same; however, one person may be added to the core as long as the total does not exceed 8 performers. (i.e. a woodwind quintet may add a pianist for the Poulenc Sextet).

The performance will be without conductor. The ensemble may not be assisted by their teacher and/or coach in equipment setup, turning pages, or tuning during competition. Cuts are not permitted. Repeats are left to the discretion of the ensemble.

The repertoire program submitted MUST include the time duration of each piece.

Arrangements may be used but they may not be simplifications of compositions written for the same instrumentation, for example, a piano reduction from an orchestra score will not be acceptable. Classification is determined by the member with the highest college level. For example, a trio with two freshmen and one junior will have to compete in the Junior/Senior portion of the division. Similarly, a trio with two undergraduates of any level and one graduate student will have to compete in the Graduate competition.

FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE CHAMBER

Members must include only sophomores and freshmen.

Repertoire: One (1) work, or movements of a larger work composed from any period. A maximum of twelve (12) minutes performance time is allowed.

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHAMBER

Members must include at least one junior or senior to be eligible for this category. Other members may be underclassmen.

Repertoire: Two (2) or more movements of either the same style period or contrasting style period. (For example: one movement of a Brahms Trio and one movement of a Previn Trio; or two movements of a Brahms Trio.) A maximum of twenty (20) minutes performance time is allowed.

GRADUATE CHAMBER

Members must include at least one graduate student to be eligible for this category. Other members may be undergraduates.

Repertoire: Two (2) or more movements of either the same style period or contrasting style period. (For example: one movement of a Brahms Trio and one movement of a Previn Trio; or two movements of a Brahms Trio.) A maximum of twenty (20) minutes performance time is allowed.