Annual competition for NAMTA students who earn a "Superior" rating in the 2023 Performance Audition
Entry Deadline: April 14, 2023
Competition date: Saturday May 13, 2023
Competition will take place at:
   Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University
   2400 Blakemore Ave.
   Nashville, TN  37212
Teachers are responsible for notifying their students and accompanists (if applicable) of the audition and concert schedule.
Fee: $25 for all entries.

Guidelines and General Information
The Nashville Area Music Teachers Association established the Young Artist Achievement Awards in 1986 for the purpose of inspiring high achieving music students in the Nashville area and to give them recognition. Students can use YAAA as a system for continuously measuring achievement in music study. The awards offer opportunities for establishing the best possible standards in the art of teaching and performing. It is also excellent preparation for the state competition. All students and teachers benefit from hearing the Winners’ Concert performers!

Requirements
Grand Prize winners of the previous YAAA competition are not allowed to enter in the following year.

All participants must have studied with their teacher/co-teachers for a minimum of six months prior to the NAMTA auditions, and must still be with the same teacher/co-teachers at the time of YAAA.
Repertoire will include two pieces from DIFFERENT periods. One of the pieces must be selected repertoire performed at the most recent NAMTA Performance Audition. The second piece may be a new piece OR may be from Performance Audition repertoire – that choice is at the discretion of the teacher. No changes will be made after the registration deadline.

Each contestant must bring one copy of each selection to be played for the judges (no photocopies accepted) with measures numbered. The student may choose the first piece to perform. Students must be prepared to play all selections submitted, but must also be prepared to omit any section(s) at the judge’s discretion.
Time of performance allowed reflects the TMTA requirements and will depend on entry level and scheduling. However, time is not the essence of the quality of the student’s performance.


Rules for Competition
Please refer to the section in the TMTA/MTNA Guidelines and Applications booklet “Rules Applicable to All Auditions.”

Eligibility
Students qualify by receiving a superior rating in performance of standard category, and passing the NAMTA theory tests (grades 3-12) during the calendar year in which the superior is awarded.

Classifications
Piano, Strings, and Woodwinds Solo: There are six entry levels, determined by age and grade, beginning with Kindergarten and ending with Grade 12: K – 2, 3 – 4, 5 – 6, 7 – 8, 9 -- 10, 11 -- 12. Piano, strings, and woodwinds each have a category for every grade level.

Performance Times

In addition to an opportunity for performance, each participant receives a critique from the judge(s). Judges will select one winner from each category, and an alternate. The winner(s) in each category will receive a Category Winner Certificate, and choose ONE of their pieces from the audition to present at one of two Winners Recitals later in the afternoon (grades K-6, and 7-12). The combined jury will select a Grand Prize Winner from each recital to receive a cash prize. Category alternates participate in the Winners Recital in the event that category winners are unable to perform.
Judges have the right to declare “no winner” in any category. The judge’s decision is final.


Application and Late Registration Fees
Any forms turned in after the deadline will incur a $5 late fee, to be paid by the teacher.