Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association

Registration Deadline: General Recitals - April
2026-04-23
Information about General Recitals

Achievement Awards Competition: Piano
2026-05-02
Locations
United Christian Parish, 11508 N. Shore Drive, Reston, VA 20190
Jordan Kitts 8500 US-29, Fairfax, VA 22031
Burke Presbyterian Church, 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke Centre, VA 22015

Application Requirements

Please register at new.mtfest.com
Pay fee online through new.mtfest.com. Click on Billing, then click on the $ next to the event. Pay with Visa or Mastercard. After payment is made, you may print a copy of the invoice for your records. No late applications will be accepted. All fees are non-refundable.
The teacher will receive information after the registration deadline.
Non-NVMTA members have to pay the $50 fee (per student per event) plus registration fee. Non-member fees can be paid HERE

Levels and Time Limits

LevelGradeTime Limit

Level 1Grades 2-46 Minutes

Level 2Grades 5-67 Minutes

Level 3Grades 7-811 Minutes

Level 4Grades 9-1013 Minutes

Level 5Grades 11-1220 Minutes

Repertoire Requirements
No Arrangements. All music must be performed from memory.
Level 1-4. Three pieces representing three of the following five periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, Contemporary.
Level 5. Four works: 1.) A piece from the Baroque period*; 2.) A sonata movement by Haydn, Clementi, Mozart, Beethoven, or early Schubert; 3) A piece from the Romantic or the Impressionistic period; 4) A contemporary piece.
The style period for a given composer will be defined by the MTNA Composer Classifications. Any composer with two classifications should be classified according to the qualities of the particular work. Additional composers not included in the MTNA Composer Classification List will be classified as follows for NVMTA Achievement Awards from the following list: Composer PAA. Please email the chair with any questions regarding composer classification. The diversity in style of repertoire is an important consideration, and students must present a diverse program for the competition.
Students who have repertoire over the time limit will be stopped without penalty to ensure a portion of each piece is performed.
*If playing a work from the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Prelude and Fugue shall be considered one piece, and both must be performed.
Eligibility
All students are required to participate at their current grade level. Previous first-place winners may not compete again at the same level and must wait until they are eligible for the next level. Students who are not present and ready to perform at their assigned time may play for comments only and only if time permits.
Teacher Guidelines:
No repertoire changes may be made after the registration deadline.
Please provide one published score for the judges with all measures numbered; the score must not bear the student’s or teacher’s name. Participating teachers are expected to assist the chair as needed based on the number of students enrolled, regardless of subsequent student withdrawals. Teachers must agree to abide by the Rules for Competitive Events.
Awards

Level1st2nd3rd

Level 1$30$20$10

Level 2$50$25$15

Level 3$200$100$50

Level 4$300$150$75

Level 5$500$250$125

General Recitals-April
2026-05-03

Achievement Awards Competition, Strings
2026-05-16
Location
Music Spectrum, 465 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA 20170
Application Requirements

Please register at new.mtfest.com. Application deadline is April 16, 2026.
Pay fee online through new.mtfest.com Click on Billing, then click on the $ next to the event. Pay with Visa or Mastercard. After payment is made, you may print a copy of the invoice for your records. You do not need to mail anything to the Chair. No late applications will be accepted. All fees are non-refundable.
Teachers will receive information after the registration deadline.
Non-NVMTA members have to pay the $50 fee (per student per event) plus registration fee. Non-member fees can be paid HERE.

Levels and Times
The competition has two divisions: Violin and Lower Strings (Viola, Violoncello, String Bass, Guitar & Harp)

LevelGradeTime Limit

ElementaryGrades 6 & Under6 Minutes

IntermediateGrades 7-98 Minutes

SeniorGrades 10-1212 Minutes

Repertoire Requirements
Two works of appropriate difficulty representing different periods of music and contrasting in style and/or tempo. Music must be performed from memory.
Here is a list of repertoire used in 2014 which you may download as a spreadsheet for your reference: Repertoire for Strings Achievement Awards 2014
Eligibility
Open to violin, viola, violoncello, string bass, guitar, and harp students. Previous first-place winners may not compete again in the same level, but may compete in a higher level.
Teacher Guidelines
If there are any time restrictions that need to be considered in scheduling, indicate this on the application.
The student must provide an accompanist if needed.
Please provide one published score with all measures numbered, and which must not bear the student’s or teacher’s name.
Participating teachers are expected to assist the chair as needed based on the number of students enrolled, regardless of subsequent student withdrawals. Teachers must agree to abide by the Rules for Competitive Events as well as the Teacher Responsibilities.
Any teacher who fails to carry out the assigned duties and who has not provided a substitute approved by the chairman may not enter students in that event in the following year. All parent or student questions about an event should be handled by the teacher. Teachers should never give parents or students the phone numbers or e-mail addresses of chairmen. Chairmen have no obligation to respond to parent or student inquiries.
The final decision on scheduling and related aspects of each event rests with the chairman.
Awards
The prize awards have been sponsored generously by the Brobst Violin Shop, this is their website, https://brobstviolinshop.com/makers/t-pampolin/?view=grid
In each division (Violin & Lower Strings):

Level1st2nd3rd

Elementary$100$50$25

Intermediate$200$50$25

Senior$300$50$25

Note: This competition is named in memory of Caurine Colburn Easterling (1904-1989) who was a cellist with the Arlington Symphony, a devoted teacher and cherished friend, and founding chairman of this competition.
We would like to thank our sponsor Foxes Music Co., whose support has been instrumental in bringing this event to life.

Achievement Awards: Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion
2026-05-16
Location
United Christian Parish, 11508 N. Shore Dr., Reston, VA 20190
Application Requirements
1. Please register at new.mtfest.com.
2. Pay fee online through new.mtfest.com. Click on Billing, then click on the $ next to the event. Pay with Visa or Mastercard. After payment is made, you may print a copy of the invoice for your records. You do not need to mail anything to the Chair. No late applications will be accepted. All fees are non-refundable. Non-NVMTA members have to pay the $50 fee (per student per event) plus registration fee. Non-member fees can be paid HERE.
Levels and Time Limits

Brass/Percussion

Grades 9-1210 minutes

Woodwinds

Grade 6 and under6 minutes

Grades 7-87 minutes

Grades 9-108 minutes

Grades 11-1210 minutes

Repertoire Requirements
Two works, or movements from different works, contrasting in style and/or tempo. Memorization of the selections is preferred but not required
Here is a list of repertoire used in 2014 which you may download as a spreadsheet for your reference: Repertoire for Winds Achievement Awards.
Eligibility
Previous first-place winners may not compete again in the same level, but with chairman’s consent, may compete in a higher level.
Teacher Guidelines
Student must provide accompanist, if needed.
Please provide one published score with all measures numbered, and which must not bear the student’s or teacher’s name.
Teachers must agree to abide by the Rules for Competitive Events as well as the Teacher Responsibilities.
Awards

1st2nd3rd

WoodwindsGrade 6 and underGift Cert.Gift Cert.Gift Cert.

Grades 7-8$100$50$25

Grades 9-10$200$100$50

Grades 11-12$300$150$75

Brass/PercussionGrades 9-12$260$100$50

Sonata Festival
2026-05-16
DATE AND PLACE
Festival: May 16, 2026
Honors Recital: May 17, 2026
George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Registered participating teachers will receive detailed instructions regarding student information and teacher work hours.
DEADLINES
Registration Deadline: April 9, 2026
All fees are paid online by this date.
FEE
$24.00. All fees are nonrefundable. Non-NVMTA members have to pay the $50 fee (per student per event) plus registration fee. Non-member fees can be paid HERE.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please register at new.mtfest.com
Pay fee online through new.mtfest.com Click on Billing, then click on the $ next to the event. Pay with Visa or Mastercard. After payment is made, you may print a copy of the invoice for your records. You do not need to mail anything to the Chair.

CHAIR
Greg Genter
CO-CHAIRS
Jeri Bennett

LEVELS AND TIME LIMITS
Elementary, e.g., simple Sonatinas = 4 minutes
Intermediate, e.g., Clementi/Kuhlau Sonatinas = 7 minutes
Advanced, e.g., Beethoven/Mozart/Haydn Sonatas =10 minutes
REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
Sonata/Sonatina movements may be by the same composer or by different composers. Students must enter two contrasting movements: EITHER contrasting tempos (i.e. one slow, one fast) OR contrasting time periods (Baroque/Classical/Romantic/Contemporary). For purposes of this event, Allegretto is considered “fast”, and Moderato is considered “slow”. Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata, for example, movements 2 and 3 would not qualify due to similar tempi.
In a two-movement Sonata/Sonatina, however, movements with similar tempi are acceptable. Teachers must indicate in their application that the entrant’s repertoire is a “two movement sonata or sonatina”. A Minuet is acceptable if it is a movement of a sonata and if it has a contrasting tempo and style from the other movement that is selected (i.e., one Allegretto, one Adagio). A Theme and Variations movement is not acceptable for this festival. Please note that students will be stopped at the time limit and should plan any cuts so that a substantial portion of both movements is heard by the judges.
All music must be performed from memory. Entrant will abide by all copyright laws and has permission to use all music given to judges and accompanists during all events as outlined here.
ELIGIBILITY
For solo piano only —no piano duets. Any student wishing to carry over participating years from previous Sonata/Sonatina Festivals may do so.
TEACHER GUIDELINES
Teachers who enroll 1 to 10 students are obligated to judge for 3 to 4 hours; teachers who enroll 11 to 20 students are obligated to judge for 6 to 8 hours. Teachers must be available to help in other capacities at the discretion of the chair.
Teachers must agree to abide by the Teacher Responsibilities.
AWARDS
Each participant receives a trophy. Trophies get larger with each year of participation. Judges may choose students to advance to the Second Round based on students’ performances. Students who advance to the Second Round will receive a ribbon and the opportunity to play for Second Round judges who select students for the Honors Recital.

General Meeting NVMTA, May
2026-05-27 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Join us on May 27th for an inspiring Teachers & Members Recital, showcasing a mix of 20th-century and contemporary music. Experience performances of works from Russian, Armenian, Cuban, British, French, and Georgian-Israeli traditions, brought to life by NVMTA teachers and talented collaborators from our musical community.

Featured performers include Hoorig Poochikian and Misha Tumanov in Eduard Baghdasaryan’s Rhapsody for Violin and Piano; Alina Kirshon performing Josef Bardanashvili’s Psalm 22; Kyle Johnson and Christopher Kies in a lively set of Beatles favorites including All My Loving and If I Fell, arranged by our very own Christopher Kies; Ruriko Osawa and Karen Mahler performing Ernesto Lecuona’s Malagueña; Faith Zuniga and Zachary Whitaker in the monumental first movement of Rachmaninov’s Cello Sonata, Op. 19; Mary Voutsas and Misha Tumanov in Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite No. 2 selections; Hyeja Ganahl and Faith Zuniga in movements from Rachmaninov’s Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos; and Francesca Hurst with violinist Arman Tigranyan in a featured collaborative performance of Ravel’s Tzigan.
Adding a unique dimension to the afternoon, NVMTA member and musicologist, Ronit Seter, will offer introductory remarks and contextual historic insights throughout the program.
We look forward to seeing you there!

The recital will be held after the General Meeting.
You are also invited to join us for lunch at SweetGreen (1824 Library St., Reston, VA) after the meeting.

Northern District Auditions
2026-05-31
Application Requirements
1. Please register at new.mtfest.com. Be very specific listing piece titles, including opus or Hob. numbers, keys, and movements. Registration deadline is 4/16/26.
2. Pay fee online through new.mtfest.com. Click on Billing, then click on the $ next to the event. Pay with Visa or Mastercard. After payment is made, you may print a copy of the invoice for your records. You do not need to mail anything to the Chair. No late applications will be accepted. All fees are non-refundable.
3. Non-NVMTA members have to pay the $50 fee (per student per event) plus registration fee. Non-member fees can be paid HERE.
Levels and Time Limits
Levels and time limits are determined by the student’s current school grade (and the student must have reached the corresponding sight-reading and theory levels for his or her grade, as shown below).

Audition LevelCurrent School GradeSight ReadingTheoryTime Limit

I-AK11A5 minutes

I-A111A5 minutes

I-A211B5 minutes

I-A321B5 minutes

I-B432A10 minutes

I-B532B10 minutes

II643A15 minutes

II753B15 minutes

II86415 minutes

III97520 minutes

III108620 minutes

III119720 minutes

Repertoire Requirements
Three compositions representing three of the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary. No changes of repertoire will be allowed after the postmark deadline.
Here is a list of repertoire used in 2014 which you may download as a spreadsheet for your reference: Repertoire for District Auditions 2014
Eligibility
Student must have passed the examinations for their level on Theory Mastery Day and Skills Day by the application deadline. For example, at the time of application, a student currently in Grade 5 would enroll in level I-B and must have passed sight-reading level 3 and theory level 2B.
Awards
In each level: First Place $40, Alternate $25. Winners and alternates in each level will represent Northern Virginia in the State Auditions at the VMTA Fall Conference. Any Winner or Alternate who chooses to enter the MTNA/Virginia Junior High or High School competitions must withdraw from the State Auditions.
Teacher Guidelines
Teachers must agree to abide by the Rules for Competitive Events as well as the Teacher Responsibilities.

NVMTA Lecture Series-June
2026-06-12 10:00 - 12:00
Bonnie Kellert – June 12th, 2026, 10 am Eastern time
Topic: ” How Can I get My Students to Play Like THAT! Attaining a Musical Performance in Young Musicians “

NVMTA Executive Board Meeting June 2026
2026-06-17 10:00 - 12:00
The Zoom link will be emailed the week of the event.

Registration Deadline: Fall Festival
2026-10-16
