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Keyboard Theme Festival

MTAC PASADENA  

2025 KEYBOARD THEME FESTIVAL 

“Baroque Music Festival”

Date: To Be Determined (November 2025)

Online application open in September 2025

Theme Festival Rules

2025 Teacher Work Rules 

All MTAC Pasadena events require teacher help. Board members and chairpersons volunteer their time to make the event happen. The event cannot run without your contribution. Teachers who cannot personally work may send a qualified substitute (pre-approval required or pay a non-work fee). Teachers who cannot fulfill their work responsibilities will risk their students’ removal from the program.

 

Please see the teacher work guidelines below.

 

  • 1-2 students

1.5 work hours or 1 recital 

non-work fee $70
  • 3-5 students

4.5 work hours or 3 recitals

non-work fee $140
  • 6-8 students 

full day on the event day 

non-work fee $300

 

Job assignments are not based on race, age, disability, gender, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion. Job assignments are non-negotiable. 

Application rules

Application fee:

    • $60 for piano solo
    • $40 per ensemble member

All application fees are non-refundable.

  • Categories are determined by age, not by Certificate of Merit level. All participants must be between 7-18 years old on November 30, 2025.
  • Students can apply for only one category: Piano Solo OR Ensemble.
  • For the ensemble category, at least one ensemble member must study under an active member of MTAC Pasadena Branch.
  • Time limits:

Solo performances:

Categories 7-14:   5 minutes

Categories 15-18: 6 minutes 

Ensemble performances are limited to 5 minutes. 

Any performance that exceeds the time limit will be stopped by the presider, but this will not be a consideration in the judges’ decisions. 

  • All solo performances must be memorized. Memorization for ensemble performances is not required. An original sheet music must be provided for the judge. Students who do not have the original music will not be considered for awards.
  • Photocopied music is not allowed. The Pasadena Branch complies with the MTAC State Office policy on U.S. Copyright Laws. Music purchased or downloaded from an online source must show copyright permission/proof of purchase.
  • A note about using scores from IMSLP

From Official 2-24-25 CM Policies and Procedures 6.6.7 (page 17)

6.6.7 IMSLP and Downloaded Repertoire from any music download site must contain the authorization logo or printable permissions for legal use. If the downloaded repertoire from IMSLP or other company does not contain this, then they are not permissible for use. IMSLP is a Canadian website; Canada has different copyright laws than the US does therefore it is possible for something to be public domain in Canada but still be copyright protected in the US. If the downloaded repertoire from IMSLP or other company does not contain one of the following items, then it does not meet the… requirements: (1) Authorized logo (2) Source (where the sheet music was downloaded from).

  • Previous winners from the 2024 Keyboard Theme Festival are eligible to participate but may not repeat any repertoire performed from last year’s festival. 

 

Repertoire Rules for Piano Solos

  • Selections listed under the Baroque category in the Certificate of Merit Piano Syllabus (any edition) are acceptable.
  • Music selection must be from a composer born before 1750. 

 

  • Any transcriptions of Baroque music, such as music written for organ, harpsichord, clavichord, or other solo or ensemble instrumental works are allowed but must be performed on one piano.
  • Categories age 7 or 8 may use music written by composers in the style of the Baroque period. 
    • Examples include: Little Suite in Baroque Style by Gillock, Spotlight on Baroque Style by Catherine Rollin, etc.
    • It is the teacher’s responsibility to select a piece that matches the theme. 
  • Improvisation from figured bass written by the composer is allowed, but music must be provided to the judge.
  • Baroque style music composed after 1800 will not qualify. Examples such as Prelude and Fugue by Mendelssohn and Shostakovich are unacceptable repertoire choices.

 

Repertoire Rules for Ensembles

  • New this year, ensembles and chamber music are accepted. The repertoire must include piano and be able to performed on one piano.
    • Examples are piano duet, piano and voice, piano trio, instrumental sonatas, instrumental concertos, etc.
  • Ensemble is a stand-alone category where contestants are not be categorized by age.

 

  • Any transcriptions of Baroque music, such as music written for organ, harpsichord, clavichord,  or other solo or ensemble instrumental works are allowed but must be performed on one piano.

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Choi and Bee Tan (Co-Chairs) at 

ktpasadena@gmail.com