Program Descriptions
Achievement Award Recital: Public performance held at the end of the MTAC Fiscal year (June)
awarding students for their completion of repertoire from four different music periods. In order to be
eligible for an award, students must present a minimum of two (2) different period pieces, plus they must
have fulfilled four (4) period pieces requirements during the year (excluding CM and Branch Honors
pieces). Maximum time limit is 8 minutes. Trophies will be awarded to each qualified participant. (See
ʼAchievement Award Recitalʼ for more info.)
Bach/Baroque Festival: Branch competition held in April. Winds and Strings have different venues.
Public performances of students presenting any piece(s) by Bach or a Baroque composer within a 5
minute time limit. Adjudicators are present. Participants will receive certificates and trophies at the
Branch Festival. Regional Festival will be held in the late Spring for Branch winners. (Only works by J.S.
Bach are eligible for this competition.) Winners will receive medals. Complete Works Audition will be
held later in the Fall for those selected from the Regional Festival. (Repertoire pieces must be chosen
from the official cyclical list of Bachʼs work). Winners will receive medals at the Memorial Awards
Program. (See ʻBach/Baroque Festivalʼ for more info.)
Branch Honors: The Branch Honors (BH) program awards select students who have passed both the
Performance Evaluation and the written Theory Examination. Students who receive a 4- and above from
the evaluator are awarded BH seals, and students who receive a 5- and above are also awarded ribbons.
Special awards are also given to eligible High School seniors, students who receive a 100% on their
Theory exam, and non-Senior students who pass Level 10.
Certificate of Merit™: Comprehensive evaluation program held in March at Cal Baptist University in
Pomona. Students will be evaluated on theory and ear-training exams, sight-reading, technique elements
and selected repertoire performance. Studentsʼ levels are determined by CM Syllabus. Students will
receive certificates upon successful completion of all exam phases. Branch Honors Awards and
Convention performances will be held later for eligible students who are selected. Teachers register
students online (www.new.mtac.org) as well as by filling out student evaluation forms (online/written). CM
database is open for registration on September 15th. State registration deadline is November 15th.
Student fees and Teacher Work Policy due to the CM Chair by November 16th. Online Evaluation Forms
due January 31st. Registration fees vary per studentsʼ CM level. (See ʻCM Branch Rulesʼ, for more info.), or contact the CM Chair or Committee for more information.
Community Outreach Recital: Programs may vary, some of which may include volunteer work for the
community. (Dates may vary.) May include performances held at various community facilities. This
program allows students to receive credit for participating in community outreach through music and
interaction with the residents. Students may take part in a 60-75 minute concert program, depending on
the scheduled event. Due to limited space, only one piece is allowed per student. There is a maximum of
5 minutes per student performance. Students (Grades 6-12 only) will be given a verification letter of
community service upon the completion of the program. (See ʻCommunity Outreach Recitalʼ, page 34 for
more information.)
General Recital: Branch recitals scheduled throughout the year. Public performances of students presenting any piece(s) within 5-10 minute time limit.
Music Scholarship: Scholarship Award program for senior high school students aspiring to pursue music at an accredited U.S. music college with plans to acquire a bachelor's degree in music. There is also a non-music major category for students who will continue higher education after graduating high school. Applicants must meet the qualifications listed on the Diamond Bar Branch Music Scholarship Rules.
Spring Festival: Branch competition held in May. (Winds and Strings may have separate programs and/
or venues.) Public performances of students presenting any one (1) piece or multiple pieces if they are in the same collection (for example, different pieces within the same opus number), or one Sonata movement within 5-7 minute time limit. Adjudicators are present. (See ʻSpring Festivalʼ, for more info.)
Categories are determined by age:
Category I: 5-7 Years Old
Category II: 8-9 Years Old
Category III: 10-11 Years Old
Category IV: 12-13 Years Old
Category V: 14-15 Years Old
Category VI: 16-18 Years Old
Category VII: Adults
Winners will receive trophies and Honorable Mentions will receive medals.
Theme Recital: Public performances of students presenting any repertoire piece(s) based on a specific
theme decided by the Branch (i.e., Program Music). Piece(s) must not exceed 7 minutes.
VOCE (Vocalists, Orchestral Instruments, Chamber Music, Ensembles): Competition plus a noncompetitive recital. Branch First Place Winners may advance to the State Finals competition. First Place Winners of the State Finals competition will be asked to perform on the VOCE Recital at the MTAC State Convention in July, where they will receive their cash awards. Award amounts are announced in the
Guidelines which are available through the Branch President, Assistant State Chair or VOCE Chair. (See ʻVOCE, more info.)
Winterfest: Branch competition held in November. (Winds and Strings may have separate programs
and/or venues. Public performances of students presenting any one (1) piece (except by Bach) or one
Sonata movement within 5-7 minute time limit. Adjudicators are present. (See ʻWinterfestʼ, for more info.)
Categories are determined by age:
Category I: 5-7 Years Old
Category II: 8-9 Years Old
Category III: 10-11 Years Old
Category IV: 12-13 Years Old
Category V: 14-15 Years Old
Category VI: 16-18 Years Old
Category VII: Adults
Winners will receive trophies and Honorable Mentions will receive medals.
awarding students for their completion of repertoire from four different music periods. In order to be
eligible for an award, students must present a minimum of two (2) different period pieces, plus they must
have fulfilled four (4) period pieces requirements during the year (excluding CM and Branch Honors
pieces). Maximum time limit is 8 minutes. Trophies will be awarded to each qualified participant. (See
ʼAchievement Award Recitalʼ for more info.)
Bach/Baroque Festival: Branch competition held in April. Winds and Strings have different venues.
Public performances of students presenting any piece(s) by Bach or a Baroque composer within a 5
minute time limit. Adjudicators are present. Participants will receive certificates and trophies at the
Branch Festival. Regional Festival will be held in the late Spring for Branch winners. (Only works by J.S.
Bach are eligible for this competition.) Winners will receive medals. Complete Works Audition will be
held later in the Fall for those selected from the Regional Festival. (Repertoire pieces must be chosen
from the official cyclical list of Bachʼs work). Winners will receive medals at the Memorial Awards
Program. (See ʻBach/Baroque Festivalʼ for more info.)
Branch Honors: The Branch Honors (BH) program awards select students who have passed both the
Performance Evaluation and the written Theory Examination. Students who receive a 4- and above from
the evaluator are awarded BH seals, and students who receive a 5- and above are also awarded ribbons.
Special awards are also given to eligible High School seniors, students who receive a 100% on their
Theory exam, and non-Senior students who pass Level 10.
Certificate of Merit™: Comprehensive evaluation program held in March at Cal Baptist University in
Pomona. Students will be evaluated on theory and ear-training exams, sight-reading, technique elements
and selected repertoire performance. Studentsʼ levels are determined by CM Syllabus. Students will
receive certificates upon successful completion of all exam phases. Branch Honors Awards and
Convention performances will be held later for eligible students who are selected. Teachers register
students online (www.new.mtac.org) as well as by filling out student evaluation forms (online/written). CM
database is open for registration on September 15th. State registration deadline is November 15th.
Student fees and Teacher Work Policy due to the CM Chair by November 16th. Online Evaluation Forms
due January 31st. Registration fees vary per studentsʼ CM level. (See ʻCM Branch Rulesʼ, for more info.), or contact the CM Chair or Committee for more information.
Community Outreach Recital: Programs may vary, some of which may include volunteer work for the
community. (Dates may vary.) May include performances held at various community facilities. This
program allows students to receive credit for participating in community outreach through music and
interaction with the residents. Students may take part in a 60-75 minute concert program, depending on
the scheduled event. Due to limited space, only one piece is allowed per student. There is a maximum of
5 minutes per student performance. Students (Grades 6-12 only) will be given a verification letter of
community service upon the completion of the program. (See ʻCommunity Outreach Recitalʼ, page 34 for
more information.)
General Recital: Branch recitals scheduled throughout the year. Public performances of students presenting any piece(s) within 5-10 minute time limit.
Music Scholarship: Scholarship Award program for senior high school students aspiring to pursue music at an accredited U.S. music college with plans to acquire a bachelor's degree in music. There is also a non-music major category for students who will continue higher education after graduating high school. Applicants must meet the qualifications listed on the Diamond Bar Branch Music Scholarship Rules.
Spring Festival: Branch competition held in May. (Winds and Strings may have separate programs and/
or venues.) Public performances of students presenting any one (1) piece or multiple pieces if they are in the same collection (for example, different pieces within the same opus number), or one Sonata movement within 5-7 minute time limit. Adjudicators are present. (See ʻSpring Festivalʼ, for more info.)
Categories are determined by age:
Category I: 5-7 Years Old
Category II: 8-9 Years Old
Category III: 10-11 Years Old
Category IV: 12-13 Years Old
Category V: 14-15 Years Old
Category VI: 16-18 Years Old
Category VII: Adults
Winners will receive trophies and Honorable Mentions will receive medals.
Theme Recital: Public performances of students presenting any repertoire piece(s) based on a specific
theme decided by the Branch (i.e., Program Music). Piece(s) must not exceed 7 minutes.
VOCE (Vocalists, Orchestral Instruments, Chamber Music, Ensembles): Competition plus a noncompetitive recital. Branch First Place Winners may advance to the State Finals competition. First Place Winners of the State Finals competition will be asked to perform on the VOCE Recital at the MTAC State Convention in July, where they will receive their cash awards. Award amounts are announced in the
Guidelines which are available through the Branch President, Assistant State Chair or VOCE Chair. (See ʻVOCE, more info.)
Winterfest: Branch competition held in November. (Winds and Strings may have separate programs
and/or venues. Public performances of students presenting any one (1) piece (except by Bach) or one
Sonata movement within 5-7 minute time limit. Adjudicators are present. (See ʻWinterfestʼ, for more info.)
Categories are determined by age:
Category I: 5-7 Years Old
Category II: 8-9 Years Old
Category III: 10-11 Years Old
Category IV: 12-13 Years Old
Category V: 14-15 Years Old
Category VI: 16-18 Years Old
Category VII: Adults
Winners will receive trophies and Honorable Mentions will receive medals.
