FSMTA Byrd Piano Ensemble Award Competition

The annual Byrd Memorial Piano Ensemble Competition, hosted by FSMTA, is dedicated to fostering and supporting piano ensemble playing. Piano duos, 4-hand and 6-hand duets can compete in either the Pre-College category, held at State Competitive Events Day, or the Collegiate category, held virtually. The top ensemble in each category receives the Mrs. M. B. Byrd monetary award. Other prize-winners and participants receive certificates.
 
Competition Rules
  • Age categories: 
       Pre-college - students who have not completed high school at the time the application is submitted.
       Collegiate - ages 18-26, with contestant’s age to be determined as of June 1. 

  • Eligibility: Students must either be residents of Florida State (Pre-college category) or attend a Florida College/University (College category).
   
  • Collegiate category: by video (please see video requirements below).
 

Application procedures:
  • Submit a completed electronic application below by April 1st.
 
  • Application Fee: Each ensemble must pay an application fee of $40 by using the online PayPal button under the registration form below (Select Byrd Piano Ensemble: $40) by April 1st.
 
  • Teacher fee: FSMTA members who renewed their membership before November 30 pay no fee for their students to enter the competition. Non-member teachers, and members who renewed after November 30 are required to pay an $80 non-member teacher fee by April 1st. This fee must be paid by using the online PayPal under the registration form below. This is a separate fee from the student application fee!

For Collegiate applicants only: 
  • When application/fee(s) are received, a confirmation email will be sent with instructions for uploading your video.
  • Upload your video to be available for viewing no later than May 1st.

Repertoire Requirements: 
  • Pre-college entrants must perform a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 minutes program.
  • College entrants must perform a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 20 minutes program. 
  • Piano duets or duo piano ensembles are the principal focus of this event. Contestants may perform repertoire for either idiom, or a combination of both. Repertoire should be selected from original literature. Ensembles should choose compositions of generally recognized musical standards. Transcriptions or arrangements can be used, but the focus of this event is on original literature. Composer transcriptions are considered the same as original material. Please contact the competition Chairman to discuss individual arrangements before submitting them. Photocopies of out-of-print editions may be used with written permission from the publisher. Memorization is not required.

Video Requirements for Collegiate category:
  • Video audition must be recorded in one continuous unedited take. The camera angle must be fixed (no multiple angles, no zooming, no panning). No added effects, no text or speech are allowed. The video may not contain any clues as to identity of the performers.
  • Both applicants’ hands and face must be clearly visible if seated side by side. In case of opposite seating at least one applicant’s hands and both applicants’ faces should be visible.
  • The recording must be recent, made no earlier than six months prior to the competition.
  • Recordings from public performances are allowed.
  • Video formats admitted may be only the following: .WMV, .AVI, .MOV, MPG, .MP4.
  • Video quality must be of 720P and 24FPS or higher.
  • An audio of high fidelity is strongly recommended for collegiate applicants. You may record audio from a dedicated sound recording device or use a higher-grade camera with external microphones and dedicated sound capturing capability.

Other Rules:
  • The first-place winner in each age category receives a cash award from the Florida State Music Teachers Foundation.
  • Three judges having no current connection with any student entered will audition students on performance.
  • All videos are randomly numbered and made anonymous to the judges. All decisions of the judges are final and will not be subject to further review. Judges have the right to declare no winner.
  • Incomplete applications or video submissions that are not in accordance with the rules may result in the participant’s disqualification without refund.

​Any questions should be emailed to [email protected] prior to submitting an application.

 
Important:     Deadline for submission of application material is April 1st.
                       Deadline for uploading video for Collegiate category is May 1st
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Payment for Competition Fees
Deadline for payment: April 1st
​($40 for FSMTA Member or use drop-down menu to select $80 for Non-Member Teacher Fee)
VENMO IS NOT AVAILABLE