Student Honors Recital Application
FSTMA 2026 MINI-CONFERENCE HONORS RECITAL
FEATURING STUDENTS FROM DISTRICT 1 (Pensacola and Okaloosa County) AND DISTRICT 2 (Northwest Florida and Tallahassee)
The recital will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026 following the lunch break, in Lindsay Recital Hall at Florida State University. The start time is to be determined. A suggested donation of $25 is requested from all attendees except performers' parents.
Eligibility:
Teachers from Districts 1 and 2 are invited to submit students in any instrument or ensemble for consideration. District 1 or 2 members may also enter a student from outside their district.
Eligibility:
Teachers from Districts 1 and 2 are invited to submit students in any instrument or ensemble for consideration. District 1 or 2 members may also enter a student from outside their district.
Entry levels and repertoire requirements:
Audition videos must be no more than 6 minutes and may include one or two pieces. Age group will be determined based on the student’s age as of September 1. For ensembles, use the average age of all members, rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Adjudicators may select more than one performer from a category or decline to select any performer from a given category.
Repertoire Requirements
The 2026 conference theme is "United by Music: A Nation's Celebration, A State's Legacy, A Profession's Excellence," celebrating America's 250th anniversary and Florida's musical heritage. All submitted repertoire must be by a U.S. composer and/or inspired by U.S. landscapes, history, or folklore.
Examples of eligible composers: Aaron Copland · Ernst von Dohnányi · Samuel Barber · Amy Beach · Leonard Bernstein · William Bolcom · Margaret Bonds · Connor Chee · John Corigliano · George Gershwin · Scott Joplin · Florence Price · Ruth Crawford Seeger · Judith Lang Zaimont · FSU professors
Note: Ernst von Dohnányi, Hungarian by birth, became a naturalized U.S. citizen and taught at FSU.
Suggested repertoire for intermediate-level piano students:
Performance Guidelines
Application process
Each application must include a photo, a bio (150 words maximum), and a link to a video recording. Applications are due July 15, 2026; results will be announced by August 10, 2026.
Videos will be evaluated by two qualified adjudicators who have no students in the competition. No feedback will be provided. The selection committee's sole charge is choosing performers.
Video Submission Guidelines
Audition videos must be no more than 6 minutes and may include one or two pieces. Age group will be determined based on the student’s age as of September 1. For ensembles, use the average age of all members, rounded up to the nearest whole number.
- Junior................... through age 12
- Intermediate........ age 13 through 15
- Senior.................. age 16 through 19
- Collegiate............. enrolled in a FL college/university
Adjudicators may select more than one performer from a category or decline to select any performer from a given category.
Repertoire Requirements
The 2026 conference theme is "United by Music: A Nation's Celebration, A State's Legacy, A Profession's Excellence," celebrating America's 250th anniversary and Florida's musical heritage. All submitted repertoire must be by a U.S. composer and/or inspired by U.S. landscapes, history, or folklore.
Examples of eligible composers: Aaron Copland · Ernst von Dohnányi · Samuel Barber · Amy Beach · Leonard Bernstein · William Bolcom · Margaret Bonds · Connor Chee · John Corigliano · George Gershwin · Scott Joplin · Florence Price · Ruth Crawford Seeger · Judith Lang Zaimont · FSU professors
Note: Ernst von Dohnányi, Hungarian by birth, became a naturalized U.S. citizen and taught at FSU.
Suggested repertoire for intermediate-level piano students:
- Idaho Gems – Melody Bober: Craters of the Moon
- Our Nation's Capital – Carol Matz: A Lincoln Tribute · Washington's Fife and Drum Corps
- Florida Reflections – Martha Mier: Treasures from the Sea · The Everglades · The Suwannee River
- Nevada Riches – Robert D. Vandall: Striking it Rich! · Modern Wonder · Jewel in the Sierras · Glitz and Glitter
- Big Sky Montana – Dennis Alexander: Land of the Shining Mountains
Performance Guidelines
- Students may perform up to two solos, movements, or chamber/ensemble works per entry level.
- Works for two pianos cannot be accommodated.
- All solo repertoire must be performed from memory.
- Winners must perform the same repertoire submitted for the competition.
Application process
Each application must include a photo, a bio (150 words maximum), and a link to a video recording. Applications are due July 15, 2026; results will be announced by August 10, 2026.
Videos will be evaluated by two qualified adjudicators who have no students in the competition. No feedback will be provided. The selection committee's sole charge is choosing performers.
Video Submission Guidelines
- Submit a direct video file upload or a link via Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
- Videos must be high quality; check this recording tips link for suggestions.
- All performers in chamber music or duet videos must remain visible throughout.
- Videos must contain exactly the repertoire listed on the application; no editing is permitted.
- Label each selection with title and composer. For individual movements, include the title, movement number (Roman numeral), and composer.
- Check audio quality before uploading.