Teacher registration is $30 ($20 for young teachers attending High School or College).
Registration opens Mid November until Jan. 15, 2025. Registration closes Jan. 31, 2025.
All registered teachers are given an assignment to help with judging, tuning and/or tabulating during the festival. Please select your judging preferences on your teacher registration.
The teacher and the student choose two appropriate pieces to be played at the festival. See Suggested Levels to determine what level your student is.
Please note: If a student receives a Superior rating, they must advance to the next level the following year. Teacher and student may decide to repeat a level if they received a rating other than Superior the previous year.
Selections should be kept under 12 min. Long repeats should be omitted, except in short compositions such as at the Primary Level. Long Piano interludes should cut as well.
Piano accompaniment is required when applicable; CD accompaniment is not allowed. Students must list their accompanist on their entry form to avoid scheduling conflicts. Forms that do list an accompanist will not be accepted and may be subject to a $10 late fee for scheduling conflicts.
Solos must be memorized to receive Gold Cup Points
If a soloist used music they will not be awarded gold cup points. However, they still receive a rating and certificate for their performance. Ensembles may use music.
Students receive points for the highest rating received if performing in more than one Duet or Ensemble.
Same as outlined above.
Duet and ensemble selections do not need to be memorized.
Entrants do not compete against each other; each student is rated individually. Students are evaluated on presentation, memory, accuracy, rhythm, technique and musicianship.
Superior (5 points): A complete, outstanding performance, attention given to dynamics, phrasing and musical expression, rapid recovery from minor memory lapse, doesn't detract from overall performance.
Excellent (4 points): A promising, strong performance showing accomplishment and potential, minor discrepancies in details, memory lapse detracts from overall performance.
Good (3 points): Performance shows accomplishment but there are notable inconsistencies in one or more areas (tone, intonation, rhythm, memory, etc.).
Fair (2 points): Some commendable aspects in performance and preparation, several deficiencies in fundamentals (for example, posture, rhythm, notes, memory, etc.) are also apparent.
If a soloist used music they will not be awarded gold cup points. However, they still recieve a rating for their performance. Ensemble may use music.
Teachers may email Lauana Carter, the Gold Cup Chairman to request a student's Festival record. It is recommended that teacher keep a record of their students points to avoid any discrepancies.