Theme Festival
ABOUT
2026 Branch Theme Festival (Piano only): Festival: This is an adjudicated festival with written comments for each student about their performance. The goal of the festival is to encourage all participants to express their understanding of musical style and to excel in performance. The top 25% of students will receive gold medals, 25% silver, 25% bronze and 25% with honorable mention ribbons. The judges will also select one winner from each division to advance to the Winners’ Competition. This is a great opportunity for students to practice performance skills in a helpful and friendly environment.
Theme Competition: The winners selected from the Theme Festival will compete in four divisions in the Theme Competition.
Theme Competition Awards The first-place winner in each division will be selected by a panel of three Judges to receive $200 cash award. A second-place winner for a $100 dollar cash award. The third place winner will receive $50.
Festival Divisions:
| Division | Age (on 11/1/26) | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 & under | 2 min. |
| 2 | 8 & under | 2 min. |
| 3 | 9 & under | 2 min. |
| 4 | 10 & under | 3 min. |
| 5 | 11 & under | 3 min. |
| 6 | 12 & under | 3 min. |
| 7 | 13 & under | 5 min. |
| 8 | 14 & under | 5 min. |
| 9 | 15 & under | 5 min. |
| 10 | 16 & under | 7 min. |
| 11 | 17 & under | 7 min. |
| 12 | 18 to 24 | 7 min. |
Winners’ Competition Divisions:
| Category | Age (on 11/1/26) | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 9 & below | 2 min. |
| Category 2 | 10 to 12 | 3 min. |
| Category 3 | 13 to 15 | 5 min. |
| Category 4 | 16 and above | 7 min. |
Theme: Classical Period (Category 2). Each student will play one piece or one movement only. * Piece needs to be memorized * Each teacher may enter up to 20 students
EVENT DATES
Festival: December 12, 2026
Competition: December 13, 2026
Location: Chapman University
RESULTS
Results will be emailed by December 20,2026
ORGANIZER(S)
Janice Son, Chair: [ email ]
View Upcoming Calendar
Event Information:
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Sun20Dec2026online
Theme Festival Results Emailed to Teachers
Final results of the Festival and Competition will be emailed to the teachers.
ELIGIBILITY
- One work or one movement of Sonata/Sonatina only per performer. Theme and Variations will require to have Theme and at least 2 Variations. Up to three short movements can be included from a Suite.
- Theme: Category 2: Classical. If you have any questions about the repertoire, please check to confirm.
- The Applicant will be disqualified if the piece performed is different from the listed repertoire in the registration form.
- There will be no late submission past the deadline.
- Each teacher can enroll up to 20 students.
- Age cut off date: November 1, 2026.
FEES
Student Application Fee: $50 per student
Teacher Non-Involvement Fees:
$75 for student applications 1 – 5
$120 for student applications 6 – 10
$180 for student applications 11 – 15
$200 for student applications 15 – 20
REGISTRATION
Registration Opens: October 1, 2026. The registration form/ link will be email to members by October 1st. Click Here for the Registration Form. To begin registration, teachers will begin with the teacher information form. To add students, use the link that appears online once you complete the teacher information form. If you want to add more students later, please check your email notifications for a link to add more students.
Registration Deadline: October 20, 2026
RESULTS
Comment Sheets/Awards: Comment sheets will be emailed to the teachers by December 20, 2026. Results: To find your student, look up the student number on the left. If you don’t see exact 25% of the distribution of the medals, it is because of the ties. The medals are distributed according to the score given by the judges.