Q: Are there specific age limitations for contestants?

A: No. The rules require that the contestant must be in grades 7 through 12, or in the case of home-tutored students, in an equivalent curriculum program.   Any specific questions can be addressed to the competition co-chairs.  (link to co-chairs info)

Q:  Why is there a specified repertoire list?

A:  The music on the repertoire list has been carefully selected with specific issues in mind.   They are pieces appropriate to the skill level and experience of young artists.  Timings of the pieces are approximately fifteen minutes, allowing comfortable performance time for performers at this level.

Q: May I request a specific audition time?

A; Yes – with the application form.  However, it may or may not be possible to accommodate your request.  The  competition schedule is separated into time blocks for each instrumental group.  If the strings are scheduled from 10:00AM to 12:30PM, you- perhaps a cellist - may ask for 11:30AM, but not 2PM. 

Q: What are the criteria for becoming a winner?

A:  The single most important criterion is a demonstrated musical ability to play at the high level associated with mature concert performance.  Elements of such performing are accurate rhythm and intonation, a clear understanding and interpretation of the musical score, and the ability to perform smoothly with a collaborative entity – in this case, a piano accompanist. 

Q: Are there always one or more winners in the competition?

A:  We hope so, but if the judges do not consider that any competitor has met the criteria as described above, they have the right to not select any winner(s).  In this case, all the contestants would be presented with Certificates of Participation and there would be no winner concert that year.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the requirement to play from memory?

A:  No.

Q:  Can my parents, family and friends attend the competition?

A:  Of course.  The event is free and open to the public.  Courtesy dictates that they enter quietly between performances.  There are a few minutes between these while the judges complete their evaluation notes.  At the end of the day, there will be about a half-hour break while final decisions are made, and then all the contestants and their guests will gather for the awards ceremony.

Q: How are the results announced, other than the ceremony?

A:  The results will be posted on the CMM website by 9PM the night of the competition.  Judges’ evaluation sheets not given out at the awards ceremony will be mailed the next day.