Offered On-Campus
Offered Online
High School Piano Scholarship Competition
Thursday, January 25, 2024
If you are studying an advanced-level repertoire, consider applying for our High School Scholarship Piano Competition held Thursday afternoon before the Great Lakes Music Festival. Accepted applicants receive detailed feedback and are awarded an overall rating based on their performance.
In addition to a $300 cash award, MBU scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 will be awarded to the top performers. After the event, contestants connect with MBU faculty over a complimentary dinner.
If you want to push yourself to the next level, take advantage of this motivating opportunity. See details below and contact janet.tschida@mbu.edu with questions. Openings are limited.
General Information
Age: Contestants must be advanced-level pianists in 9-12th grade.
Performances: The competition is open to the public and competitors are strongly encouraged to listen to the other performers.
Feedback: All contestants receive detailed written feedback via email within one week of the performance. You can view the evaluation form here.
Attire: Contestants should dress professionally. Men: ties or sport coats, dress pants, and dress shoes. Women: dress pants or dresses/skirts to the top of the knee or longer and no low-cut tops. If performing as the winner in the Saturday concert, please wear a longer skirt due to the piano’s elevated location.
Schedule
Performance Times: Entrants will be notified of their assigned performance time via email by the second Tuesday of January.
Date: Thursday afternoon before Great Lakes Music Festival.
Announcement of Winners: The winners will be announced and awarded their scholarships and cash prizes 15 minutes after the final performance.
Dinner: Following the competition, competitors and their families/friends are asked to join some of MBU’s Music faculty for dinner in MBU’s Dining Complex. Complimentary tickets will be provided for the contestants. Family and friends may purchase tickets at the DC door.
Repertoire Selections
Number of Pieces: Contestants perform two memorized selections.
Types of Pieces: The pieces need to be contrasting in style. One piece needs to be Baroque or Classical and the other piece needs to be Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th Century, or Sacred Arrangement. The selections must be solo literature, and original compositions are not allowed.
Level: The repertoire must be at a minimum level of Masterwork Classics Book 9/Celebration Series Repertoire Book 8.
Length: The repertoire must be less than 15 minutes in length. Repeats are optional if the repeat can be played within the allotted time.
Application Process
Application: Complete the online application. Contestants must perform the pieces listed on their registration forms.
Fee: Pay $30 online.
Deadline: Applications and payments must be submitted by the second Tuesday of January at the latest. Early applications are encouraged because openings are limited.
Piano Competition Prizes
1st Place: MBU Scholarship*, $300 cash award, and an encore performance of one piece at the Great Lakes Music Festival concert on Saturday.
2nd Place: MBU Scholarship*
3rd Place: MBU Scholarship*
Special Honors: Based on the judges’ ratings, contestants may also be awarded one of the following honors – Honors, High Honors, or High Honors with Distinction.
*Scholarship amounts may range from $1,000 to $3,500 and are for MBU Music Majors or Minors completing residential work. First-time winners will receive the scholarship amount their freshman year. Second-time winners will receive the second scholarship their sophomore year, etc. Scholarships are non-transferable and may not be used for MBU Online.