Constance W. Murray Piano Festival

Saturday, March 16, 2024, 9:00AM-4:00PM
​Swope Music Building at West Chester University
​817 S. High Street, West Chester, PA 19383
Virtual Option Also 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 9 in order to participate.
We have expanded the CMPF to include a virtual option! In-person performances will continue in the traditional manner, but we are accepting video submissions in lieu of attending in person.

A recorded submission expands accessibility of the festival:
  1. To those whose schedules conflict.
  2. To those with health concerns.
  3. For those whose goals are not performing in a live setting.
  4. For anyone who prefers the format.

NOTE:  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 email Ribbon Coordinator Miriam Shingle to pick them up at her Chester Springs residence.

Virtual Participation details:
  • Videos must be submitted between February 24 and March 4.
  • For legal reasons, virtual submissions will be judged without score, in accordance with other virtual festivals.
  • For students who have been registered for the virtual format, teachers can request to change to in-person no later than February 23.
  • Teachers can request to switch a student from in-person to virtual participation at anytime.
  • For assistance with registration, or to change formats, contact the Schedule Coordinator Felicia Lohidajat at flohidajat@gmail.com.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 
Connie Murray Festival Chairperson Max Esmus at mcesmus@gmail.com.

Guidelines for Enrollment

  1. REPERTOIRE:  Two contrasting pieces. No arrangements. Given the time constraints, no concerto movements will be accepted. 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. Memorization is encouraged but not required. All students will receive a ribbon and certificate. Students who perform both pieces from memory will earn a gold seal on their certificate.
  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 finish registering your students.
  5. REGISTRATION:  Registration is available under the Members Only tab, under Registration for Events. Registration opens February 3 and closes February 23.
  6. SCHEDULE: Teachers will receive their schedule and monitor assignment by e-mail. Teachers must inform students of their assigned performance times and judge designations. Please report all cancellations immediately.
Registration will open February 3 and close February 23.
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NOTE:  Please arrange your schedule so that you can help on festival day.

Guidelines for Festival Day

  1. Students should arrive 10-20 minutes ahead of time and check in.  To reduce congestion and noise, we ask that students be accompanied by only one adult if possible. 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. Photocopying copyrighted music is strictly prohibited. STUDENTS WITHOUT MUSIC WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
  3. Auditions are private between student and judge only.
  4. Evaluation results will be emailed to teachers at the end of festival day. The decision of the judge is final.
  5. Ribbons will be awarded as follows:
    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. Certificates will be awarded to all and will reflect memorization achievement.
  7. Ribbons and certificates must be picked up by 4:30 PM. If a teacher cannot pick up their ribbons and certificates on festival day, they may arrange for a substitute, or email Ribbon Coordinator Miriam Shingle to pick them up at her Chester Springs residence.
  8. To eliminate confusion/error, please do not enter the tabulating room.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 
Connie Murray Festival Chairperson Max Esmus at mcesmus@gmail.com.