Scheduling and Adjudication Protocols

Any grade or division exceeding 25 registered students must be split into two independent sections (Section A and Section B). Each section is adjudicated as a separate competition with its own independent adjudicator(s), distinct ranking, and separate awards/medals (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mentions).

Regular judge breaks are scheduled approximately every 1.5 to 2 hours of continuous auditions. This allows adjudicators to refresh and complete written critique sheets without falling behind schedule.

Lunch breaks are standardized to 40 minutes across all audition rooms. Lunches are staggered across rooms between 11:30 AM and 1:45 PM depending on morning session length.

Morning auditions run continuously until completion; the lunch break begins immediately when the final morning student finishes and marks the official commencement of announcement/scoring time for morning divisions.

All piano solos and vocal selections must be performed from memory (with the sole exception of 20th-century avant-garde piano works). Memorization for brass, strings, woodwinds, classical guitar, and chamber ensembles/duets is optional.

If a student’s program exceeds the allotted performance time, the adjudicator has the authority to interrupt the performance. Final discretion regarding the exact amount of performance time allowed lies with the adjudicator in consultation with competition officials.

Auditions must adhere strictly to the published schedule. Students may NOT perform ahead of their scheduled time, ensuring that family members, teachers, and guests can attend as planned. Direct schedule changes are strictly prohibited on audition day.

Students are strictly prohibited from practicing or playing on audition room pianos during judge breaks, lunch periods, or before/after sessions. Warm-up pianos are designated in practice rooms only.

Students must provide a clean, original published score for the adjudicator with measures numbered at the start of each system/line. Identifying student or teacher names must be covered. Accompanists may use legal photocopies or electronic devices (tablets).