Constance W. Murray Piano Festival

Saturday, March 18, 9:00AM-4:00PM
​Swope Music Building at West Chester University
​817 S. High Street, West Chester, PA 19383
Hybrid Option Available - Details Below
This festival provides a wonderful opportunity for students to perform for adjudication. All students in grades K – 12 and Adults are encouraged to participate. Teachers must have paid MTNA National, State, and Local dues by February 10 in order to participate. Teachers are expected to arrange their schedules to help monitor on Festival Day.​
We are delighted to announce that we are expanding the CMPF to a hybrid model! In-person performances will continue as we always have, but we are also offering a virtual option for students to submit videos in lieu of attending in person. Ribbon/Certificate pick-up must still occur on Festival Day by 4:30 PM. If a teacher cannot pick up their ribbons and certificates on festival day, they may arrange for a substitute, or pick them up at Miriam Shingle's Chester Springs residence. Videos must be submitted between Feb. 25 and Mar. 11.

Virtual Participation details:
  • For legal reasons, virtual submissions will be judged without score, in accordance with other virtual festivals.
  • Students can switch from virtual to in-person participation​ before March 3, as schedules will be set on March 4. 
  • Students can switch from in-person to virtual participation before March 11, to allow our virtual judge a fair and locked amount of work.
  • Please note the allowed changes here carefully.
 
A recorded submission is an opportunity for many circumstances, expanding accessibility and possibilities of the festival:
  1. To those whose schedules conflict.
  2. To those whose physical health may prevent them from attending in person.
  3. For those whose goals are not performing in a live setting, but performing for recordings.
  4. For anyone who prefers the format!
If you have any questions or concerns, contact 
Chairperson Felicia Lohidajat at flohidajat@gmail.com

Guidelines for Enrollment

  1. REPERTOIRE:  Two contrasting pieces, memorized.  If needed, students in grades 9-12 may play one memorized and one with music. Intermediate level compositions may be from the same time period if they are contrasting in style. Two pieces by the same composer is strongly discouraged. However, a fast and a slow movement of a sonata or sonatina is acceptable. Da capos are permitted, but please avoid repeats. No arrangements. Given the time constraints, no concerto movements will be accepted.
  2. TIMED LENGTH:  For registration, please time each piece in minutes and seconds.
  3. TIME REQUESTS:  AM and PM time requests are given only if absolutely necessary. Time requests are to be used for specific student conflicts only, not for preference and convenience. Please check with students before registering.
  4. FEE:  A non-refundable entry fee of $20.00 is required for each student. Payment is made online when you register.
  5. REGISTRATION:  Online registration is REQUIRED. No checks or paper forms. Registration is available under the Members Only tab, under Registration for Events.
  6. SCHEDULE: Everyone will receive their schedule, monitor assignment, and student information sheet by e-mail. Once you have received your schedule, please give it to your student as soon as possible. Make sure they know their time and judge number. Please report all cancellations immediately. After the registration deadline, NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE.​
Registration will open February 4 and close February 25.
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NOTE: Please arrange your schedule so that you can help on festival day.

Practice rooms will​ be available for preparation for this year.

Guidelines for Festival Day

  1. Students should arrive 10 – 15 minutes ahead of time and check in with the door monitor for their room number.  To reduce congestion and noise, students should be accompanied by only one adult maximum. Practice rooms will be available.
  2. Students should have an original copy of their music. However, photocopies will be permitted if the following conditions apply:  the music is out of print, it is an IMSLP download, or it was purchased from a website. Teachers must attach a note indicating the reason for the photocopy, and sign it as 'The Teacher.' NOTE: STUDENTS WITH NO MUSIC WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
  3. Auditions are private between student and judge only.
  4. The decision of the judge is final.
  5. Certificates and Ribbons will be awarded. Ribbons:
    1. SUPERIOR - A performance which is very musical and technically controlled.
    2. EXCELLENT - A performance which is mostly in control and reaches an acceptable standard of excellence.
    3. VERY GOOD - A performance which shows some commendable aspects but needs more work to achieve a convincing performance.
    4. HONORABLE MENTION – An inadequate performance.
  6. Ribbons and certificates must be picked up by 4:30 PM by each teacher or arranged substitute.
  7. To eliminate confusion/error, please do not enter the tabulating room.