2026 FESTIVAL

NEMTA offers Competition & Evaluations for all instruments, levels & age groups.  Standard Categories are based on level of knowledge.  Thus, standard categories are not dictated by age.  Students entering Open Categories should apply based on age (as if 4/1/22).  The age groups for Open Categories are as follows:

*6 - 8

*  9 - 11

* 12 - 14

* 15 - 17

* 18 & older

Please note: a younger contestant may enter into an older category (for example, a 5-year old may enter the 6 - 8 age category).  However, an older student may not compete in younger categories. 

Please refer to the application forms for a list of available categories for a particular instrument.  We are thrilled to offer the following categories for this year's Festival:

PIANO - Standard, Open, Virtuoso 

STRINGS - Standard, Open, Virtuoso

VOICE - Open Auditions

OTHER INSTRUMENTS - Open Auditions

STANDARD REPERTOIRE consists of pre-selected pieces chosen to assess a student's ability at a given level.  A list of standard repertoire is available in the Forms below.

OPEN CATEGORIES include any & all pieces within a prescribed time limit & subject to a certain age group.  

VIRTUOSO CATEGORIES represent the most competitive event at the NEMTA Festival where in serious musicians have a chance to compete for the top prizes, cash awards and artist promotion.

Live Auditions will be adjudicated separately from the recorded auditions and winners from both events are eligible for participation in the Winners' Recital. Applications for LIVE Auditions must indicate "LIVE" on the Application form and be submitted by the time specified. All ONLINE applicants must enter the Festival with a pre-recorded performance submitted to the Festival via a YouTube link. The judges will review the submission as part of the applicable category & age group, provide comments on the performance & award placement.  WINNER'S RECITAL & AWARDS  The Awards and Placement will be announced on our website and diplomas/trophies will be distributed at the Awards Ceremony as part of the Winners Recital. Teachers and/or students need to make arrangements to pick up their trophies at the Winners Recital or shortly thereafter. For international participants, awards/diplomas will be mailed out.

ACCOMPANIMENT: Participants are responsible to provide their own accompaniment.  For classical categories, accompaniment is required.  Unaccompanied submissions in Classical Open categories will be disqualified.

DRESS CODE: Formal stage attire is appropriate for all live or recorded performances at the festival.  No sneakers, flip-flops, T-shirts, shorts or tank tops are allowed.  NEMTA reserves the right to disqualify a performer whose dress code is inappropriate & offensive.  

Every participant must present a valid published copy of music to the judge.  It is strongly recommended that all solo performance pieces are memorized.  For ensembles, no memorization is required.   

 Video editing, montage or enhancement of any kind is not allowed at the Festival.  Entries that appear to be professionally edited will be disqualified.  Microphone use is allowed for vocal performances only.

In order to minimize the handling of papers, checks and equipment, we ask that applicants attempt to submit all paperwork online.  Alternatively, we ask that the schools submit one packet for all of their students (as opposed to their students doing individual submissions).  For LIVE Auditions, the scheduling will be done to allow for social distancing, proper disinfecting between performances and the masks are mandatory in common areas.  A performer may remove their mask on stage during audition.  Additional details will be emailed to those interested after receipt of application.