State

State

National

National

National

National

National

State

National

Nine out of Ten of our students fell into this category this year which "means the pupil's preparation shows his/her playing is sufficiently polished or outstanding to make them a possible selectee to represent their school in a citywide or countywide concert. Score of 11-27. Excellent Plus to Superior."

*TOP-TALENT CIRCLE RATING

One of our students, McKayla fell into this category which "means the pupil's preparation shows she is adequately equipped musically and technically to appear before any audience anywhere, even though newspaper critics may be in he audience to herald her faults and virtues to the world. 28 or higher. Superior Plus."

^McKayla also achieved another goal this year - a FIFTH-YEAR NATIONAL WINNER.
The Five-Year National Role is awarded students who have performed a National or International program for a minimum of five years. For this award McKayla's picture will appear in the photo section of the Winter issue of Piano Guild Notes, plus she will receive a special "composer" pin in additional to her "International Pin". Three of these five years, McKayla performed at the International Level, with not simply 10, but 15 programmed pieces. ^Next year both Alexandrea & Corrine will be up for this same award. :)

Every Piano Hobbyist or professional can be included in one of the Guild's Circle ratings. Judges are asked to express an opinion of each pupil's preparation and his fitness to appear without discouraging results before groups that range from friendly to hostile. The Family, Room and School Circles are friendly groups before whom anyone can play without devastating results, but the City-Wide and Top-Talent Circles (in which all our students qualified) demand piano-playing of a higher order. Judges are therefore instructed neither to underrate nor overrate any hobbyist or professional appearing before her for adjudication. The number of positive and negative checks on the pupil's report card will automatically indicate the judges estimate, as explained above. A score of 6 (Room Circle - Very Good) will permit the pupil to enter for National membership with the National Fraternity of Student Musicians (NFSM) in the next classification next year.

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As a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, I am able to sponsor my students in the annual auditions for the National Fraternity of Student Musicians (NFSM).  All levels of progress are welcome to attend the auditions, as they are judged solely on their own abilities and not in competition with anyone else.

Each student performs one-on-one with an impartial adjudicator.  This judge listens to pieces prepared by the student and fills out a report card.  The comments made are very positive and the grading system easy to understand. 

The Hobbyist level plays up to 8 un-memorized pieces. All other students perform their choice of 1 to 20 memorized pieces (or combined songs with musicianship phases such as arpeggios, chords, transposition, sight reading, etc.)  They are classified according to how many pieces they performed and what level of repertoire they select.

Every year a student enters they receive a membership certificate and a pin, as well as a report card.  They also have their name posted on my Teacher's Certificate which hangs in my studio.  His/her name will also be listed, along with a photo, in a magazine called, "Piano Guild Notes" in their fifth, tenth, or fifteenth year as a National or International winner.  Other medals and awards are also available in the higher levels.

Please visit the Archive for photos and results from past seasons.