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Piano Repertoire


We continuously add new teachers who are not certain as to what our guidelines are for acceptable and appropriate repertoire. Therefore, it is essential we all understand what repertoire is and is not acceptable for adjudication in AD.

Repertoire MUST be original piano compositions. This simply means the piece must have been written for the piano originally. This would exclude the following:

  • NO Piano transcriptions of symphony movements…examples: Ode to Joy, Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Haydn’s Surprise Symphony and others
  • NO Folk songs…Examples: Go Tell Aunt Rhody, Yankee Doodle, Mary Had A Little Lamb, Hot Cross Buns, Peirrott, Frere Jacques, When the Saints Go Marching In, Camptown Races, and others
  • NO Hymns, Spirituals, Gospels…Examples: Any hymn or hymn arrangement, Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho
  • NO Broadway or Pop Tunes…Examples: Any Broadway songs, any Disney selections, any current songs from “pop or rock” artists
  • NO simplified classical repertoire…Examples: Any simplified classics that the music companies publish to make the classics more “reachable” for pianists; for example, Moonlight Sonata must be in its original form and original key.
  • NO cuts in standard repertoire…Example: Fur Elise must be performed in its entire rondo form, not simply the A section or main theme.

For young students, if you are choosing repertoire out of method books, you must make certain it was originally written for teaching. Anything listed above would not fall into that category. However, there is much original music available that is superb for auditions. Each method publisher has extensive listings of supplemental books and sheet music. This is a far better resource from which to pull for student auditions. Judges generally would prefer to see a standard of repertoire above that of simply the method books. (This in turn may help your student achieve a higher score.)

Applied Technique for Piano

Students attempting Extra Credit must successfully complete all Extra-Credit Technique requirements in their level to receive the bonus Crescendo point.

Level A Required Major Keys: C, G, F
Scales One octave hands separately. Minimum speed: quarter note = 60
Students in Level A may request to play pentascales instead.
Chords Tonic chords, root position only, hands separately
Judges will ask for chords by alphabet letter (a “C” chord).
Intervals Numeric intervals (up to a 5th), based on the major scale.
Judges will ask students to play an interval based on the bottom note’s major scale (ex: “Play a 4th above F as it falls on the F major scale”, and the student would play a Bb).
Extra Credit One new scale from level B, student’s choice. One octave, hands separately.
Level B Required Major Keys: C, G, D, A, E, F
Scales One octave, hands separately.
Minimum speed: quarter note = 60
Chords Tonic (I), Subdominant (IV), Dominant (V), root position only, hands separately.
Judges will ask for chords by roman numeral (“the V chord in the key of A major”).
Cadences I – V (V7) – I, hands separately.
Intervals Numeric intervals (up to an octave), based on the bottom note’s major scale.
Extra Credit One new scale from level C, student’s choice. One octave, hands separately.
Level C Required Major Keys: C, G, D, A, E, F;
Harmonic Minor Keys: a, e, d
Scales One octave, hands together.
Minimum speed: quarter note = 60
Chords I, IV and V triads: root position and inversions, hands separately. Root position only of chords in required minor keys.
Cadences I – IV – I – V (V7) – I in required Major keys only, hands separately.
Intervals Numeric intervals, based on the bottom note’s major scale.
Extra Credit One Cadence in required minor key, student’s choice. Hands separately.
Level D Required Major Keys: C, G, D, A, E, B, F;
Harmonic Minor Keys: a, e, d
Scales Two octaves, hands separately.
Minimum speed: quarter note = 60
Chords I, IV and V triads: root position and inversions, hands separately. Dominant seventh (V7) in root position or student’s choice of inversion.
Judges will ask for triads by alphabet letter or roman numeral, and will ask for V7 chords by roman numeral only.
Cadences I – IV – I – V (V7) – I in required major or minor keys, hands separately.
Intervals Numeric intervals based on the bottom note’s major scale.
Tonic Arpeggios C, G, a, e; two octaves, hands separately
Extra Credit 1. One new scale from level E, student’s choice. Two octaves, hands separately.
2. One new arpeggio from level E, student’s choice. Two octaves, hands separately.
Level E Required Major Keys: C, G, D, A, E, B, F, Bb, Eb, Ab;
Harmonic Minor Keys: a, e, b, d, g
Scales Two octaves, hands separately.
Minimum speed: quarter note = 60
Chords I, IV and V triads: root position and inversions, hands separately. V7 in root position only or student’s choice of inversion, hands separately.
Cadences I – IV – I – V (V7) – I in required keys, hands separately.
Intervals Major or perfect intervals played above a given note.
Tonic Arpeggios White keys (major or minor) only, two octaves hands separately.
Extra Credit 1. One new scale from level F, student’s choice. Two octaves, hands separately.
2. One new arpeggio from level F, student’s choice. Two octaves, hands separately.
Level F Required Major Keys: All major scales
Harmonic Minor Keys: a, e, b, d, g, c, f
Scales Two octaves, hands together.
Minimum speed: quarter note = 60
Chords Primary triads in root position and inversions, hands together.
V7 chords in root position or student’s choice of inversion, hands together.
Change major triads to minor, diminished or augmented; root position only.
Cadences Cadences I – IV – I – V (V7) – I in required keys, hands together.
Intervals Major, minor and perfect intervals played above a given note.
Tonic Arpeggios Two octaves, hands separately
Extra Credit 1. One new scale from level G, student’s choice. Two octaves, hands separately.
2. Supertonic (ii) chord in root position and inversion, judge’s choice. Hands together.
Level G Required Major Keys: All
Harmonic Minor Keys: a, e, b, d, g, f, f#, c#
Scales Two octaves, hands together.
Minimum speed: quarter note = 60
Chords Primary triads in root position and inversions, hands together.
V7 chords in root position or student’s choice of inversion, hands together.
Change major triads to minor, diminished or augmented; root position only.
Cadences I – IV – I – V (V7) – I in all required keys. Hands together.
Intervals Major, minor, perfect, diminished and augmented intervals played above a given note.
Tonic Arpeggios Two octaves, hands together
Extra Credit 1. Melodic minor scale: a minor, two octaves, hands together.
2. A ii – V (V7) – I cadence in judge’s choice of major key. Hands together.
Level H Required Major Keys: All
Harmonic Minor Keys: a, e, b, d, g, c, f, f#, c# b-flat
Scales Two octaves, hands together.
Minimum speed: quarter note = 72
Chords Primary triads in root position and inversions, hands together.
V7 chords in root position or student’s choice of inversion, hands together.
Change major triads to minor, diminished or augmented; root position only.
Cadences I – IV – I – V (V7) – I in all required keys. Hands together.
Intervals Intervals Major, minor, perfect, diminished and augmented intervals played above a given note.
Tonic Arpeggios Two octaves, hands together
Extra Credit 1. Melodic minor scale: a, e, d (judge’s choice). Two octaves, hands together.
2. A ii – V (V7) – I cadence in judge’s choice of major key. Hands together.
Level I Required Major Keys: All
Harmonic Minor Keys: a, e, b, d, g, c, f, f#, c#, b-flat, eb, ab
Scales Three octaves, hands together.
Chords Primary triads in root position and inversions, hands together.
V7 chords in root position or student’s choice of inversion, hands together.
Change major triads to minor, diminished or augmented; root position only.
Cadences I – IV – I – V (V7) – I in all required keys. Hands together.
Intervals Major, minor, perfect, diminished and augmented intervals played above a given note.
Tonic Arpeggios Three octaves, hands together
Extra Credit 1. Melodic minor scale: a, e, d, b, g (judge’s choice). Three octaves, hands together.
2. A ii – V (V7) – I cadence in judge’s choice of key. Hands together.
Level J Required Major Keys: All
Harmonic Minor Keys: a, e, b, d, g, c, f, f#, c#, b-flat, eb, ab
Scales Four octaves, hands together.
Chords Primary triads in root position and inversions, hands together.
V7 chords in root position or student’s choice of inversion, hands together.
Change major triads to minor, diminished or augmented; root position only.
Cadences I – IV – I – V (V7) – I in all required keys. Hands together.
Intervals Major, minor, perfect, diminished and augmented intervals played above a given note.
Tonic, Dominant Arpeggios Four octaves, hands together
Extra Credit 1. Melodic minor scale: white keys only (judge’s choice). Four octaves, hands together.
2. A ii – V (V7) – I cadence in judge’s choice of key. Hands together.

Voice Repertoire

For Achievement Day, judges will expect to hear song selections that are age and level-appropriate. Participants must memorize and perform two contrasting songs from the following repertoire categories:

  • Classical Repertoire (Art Song, Opera or Oratorio arias).
  • Musical Theater. Songs originally from other sources but adapted for use in Musical Theater are also permitted.
  • Folk Songs (including Traditional and Spiritual songs). This category of songs is encouraged for younger and/or beginning students. Young students are also encouraged to explore the rich diversity of folk songs in foreign languages.

For level C and up: at least one selection has to be in a language other than English.
For level D and up: at least one of the selections must be from the Classical Repertoire.

The following categories are NOT permitted:

  • “Pop music” (including Billboard hits originally written for radio/streaming).
  • Rock, Country, Hip Hop, R&B, Rap.
  • Church Hymns and Gospel tunes.
  • Original Compositions.

All selections MUST be memorized.

All selections MUST be performed in the written key.

Each musical selection MUST include the full piano accompaniment in the score, and students have to perform the unabridged versions of their songs. NO CUTS or alterations are allowed.

A piano accompanist MUST be used at the audition. Other instrumental accompaniment (guitar, etc.) is not permitted, and acapella selections are also not allowed. The student is expected to make their own arrangements to find and pay an accompanist. The student’s teacher is not allowed to play the piano accompaniment at the audition.

Students MUST provide an original copy of their song when checking in at the registration desk. NO PHOTOCOPIES ARE ALLOWED. Students who are unable to present originals of the music will be allowed to perform, but will receive a “No Score” (NS) in Performance. Students are expected to have measures numbered in their music beforehand.

All other Achievement Day policies regarding repertoire, changes in music, or Performance time limits apply.

Performance Guidelines

  • Total time limits in front of the judge (excluding the untimed theory exam):
    Students in Level A will have 10 minutes, Level B – 12 minutes, Level C – 14 minutes, Level D – 16 minutes, Levels E through J – 18 minutes.
  • When selecting performance repertoire, please note that 3-5 minutes of each student’s time will be devoted to sight reading and applied technique.
  • Students are permitted to select which category to start with.

Applied Technique for Voice

Level A
Scales Sing back a major 5-note scale(s) ascending and descending in the student’s range.
Arpeggios Sing back 3-note major arpeggios (do-mi-sol-mi-do) in the student’s range, staccato and/or legato.
Intervals Sing back major-key diatonic intervals (2nd-5th) ascending or descending, within the student’s range.
Extra Credit Clap back a given rhythm example using note values consistent with theory level.
Level B
Scales Sing back a major 8-note scale(s) ascending and descending in the student’s range.
Arpeggios Sing back 3-note major arpeggios (do-mi-sol-mi-do) in the student’s range, staccato and/or legato.
Intervals Sing back major-key diatonic intervals (2nd-8th) ascending or descending, within the student’s range.
Extra Credit Clap back a given rhythm example using note values consistent with theory level.
Level C
Scales Sing back a major and/or minor harmonic 8-note scale(s) ascending and descending in the student’s range.
Arpeggios Sing back full major and/or minor arpeggios (do-mi-sol-do-sol-mi-do) in the student’s range, staccato and/or legato.
Intervals Sing back major-key diatonic intervals (2nd-8th) ascending or descending, within the student’s range.
Extra Credit Clap back a given rhythm example using note values consistent with theory level.
Level D
Scales Sing major and/or minor harmonic 8-note scale(s) ascending and descending in the student’s range from a given tonic chord.
Arpeggios Sing full major and/or minor arpeggios (do-mi-sol-do-sol-mi-do) staccato and legato in the student’s range from a given tonic chord.
Intervals Sing back major- or minor-key diatonic intervals (2nd-8th) ascending or descending, within the student’s range.
Extra Credit Clap back a given rhythm example using note values consistent with theory level.
Level E
Scales Sing major and/or minor harmonic 8-note scale(s) ascending and descending in the student’s range from a given tonic note.
Arpeggios Sing full major and/or minor arpeggios (do-mi-sol-do-sol-mi-do) staccato and legato in the student’s range from a given tonic note.
Intervals Sing back major- or minor-key diatonic intervals (2nd-8th) ascending or descending, within the student’s range.
Extra Credit Clap back a given rhythm example using note values consistent with theory level.
Level F
Scales Sing major and/or minor harmonic 8-note scale(s) ascending and descending in the student’s range from a given tonic note.
Arpeggios Sing full major and/or minor arpeggios (do-mi-sol-do-sol-mi-do) staccato and legato in the student’s range from a given tonic note.
Intervals Sing major- or minor-key diatonic intervals (2nd-8th), ascending only and within the student’s range, from a given note.
Extra Credit Clap back a given rhythm example using note values consistent with theory level.
Level G-H
Scales Sing major and/or minor harmonic 9-note scale(s) ascending and descending in the student’s range from a given tonic note.
Arpeggios Sing full major and/or minor arpeggios (do-mi-sol-do-sol-mi-do) staccato and legato in the student’s range from a given tonic note.
Intervals Sing major- or minor-key diatonic intervals (2nd-8th) ascending or descending and within the student’s range, from a given note.
Extra Credit Clap back a given rhythm example using note values consistent with theory level.
Level I-J
Scales Sing major and/or minor harmonic 9-note scale(s), 7-note whole tone scale and 13-note chromatic scale ascending and descending in the student’s range from a given tonic note.
Arpeggios Sing full major and/or minor arpeggios (do-mi-sol-do-sol-mi-do) staccato and legato in the student’s range from a given tonic note.
Intervals Sing major- or minor-scale diatonic intervals, (2nd-8th) ascending or descending within the student’s range, from a given note.
Extra Credit Clap back a given rhythm example using note values consistent with theory level.

Violin Repertoire

For Achievement Day, judges will expect to hear pieces that are age and level-appropriate. Participants must memorize and perform two contrasting pieces. Participants are encouraged to choose pieces from different historical periods; however, two pieces from the same period may be selected if they are contrasting in tempo, articulation, or tonality. For information about classification of composers and historical periods, please refer to the MTNA website.

For levels A-D, pieces must be published in violin repertoire or method books, such as the Suzuki Method, Barbara Barber’s Solos for Young Violinists, or The Fairfield Fiddle Farm. For levels E-J, students may use selections from the standard repertoire, such as concert pieces or movements from concertos or sonatas.

The following categories are not permitted:

  • “Pop” Music
  • Arrangements of Disney Songs
  • Church Hymns or Gospel Tunes
  • Original Compositions

All selections MUST be memorized.

All selections MUST be performed in the written key.

Each musical selection MUST include the full piano accompaniment in the score, and students have to perform the unabridged versions of their pieces. NO CUTS or alterations, with the exception of orchestral tutti sections in concertos, are allowed.

A piano accompanist MUST be used at the audition, unless both selections were written to be performed without accompaniment. The student is expected to make their own arrangements to find and pay an accompanist. The student’s teacher is not allowed to play the piano accompaniment at the audition.

Students MUST provide original copies of their music when checking in at the registration desk. NO PHOTOCOPIES ARE ALLOWED. Students who are unable to present originals of the music will be allowed to perform, but will receive a “No Score” (NS) in Performance. Students are expected to have measures numbered in their music.

All other Achievement Day policies regarding repertoire, changes in music, or Performance time limits apply.

Performance Guidelines

  • Total time limits in front of the judge (excluding the untimed theory exam):
    Students in Level A will have 10 minutes, Level B – 12 minutes, Level C – 14 minutes,
    Level D – 16 minutes, Levels E through J – 18 minutes.
  • When selecting performance repertoire, please note that 3-5 minutes of each student’s time will be devoted to sight reading and applied technique.

Applied Technique for Violin

Level A
Scales Be able to perform a one-octave A Major scale using separate bows (one note per bow, or one Twinkle rhythm per note)
Note Identification Be able to identify, name, and play notes (on the tapes) from the A-string or E-string (open A, B, C-sharp, D, open E, F-sharp, G-sharp, A)
Extra Credit One new scale from Level B, student’s choice. One octave using separate bows
Level B
Scales Be able to perform the following one-octave scales using separate bows: A Major, D Major, and G Major
Arpeggios Be able to perform the following one-octave arpeggios using separate bows: A major, D Major, and G Major
Note Identification Be able to identify, name, and play notes (on the tapes) from any of the violin strings (open G, A, B, C, open D, E, F-sharp, G, open A, B, C-sharp, D, open E, F-sharp, G-sharp, A)
Extra Credit One new scale from Level C, student’s choice. One octave using separate bows
Level C
Scales Be able to perform the following scales using separate bows: A Major (one octave), D Major (one octave), and G Major (two octaves)
Arpeggios Be able to perform the following arpeggios using separate bows: A Major (one octave), D Major (one octave), and G Major (two octaves)
Note Identification Be able to identify, name, and play all notes in first position (including low 1s, low 2s, high 3s, and 4th fingers)
Extra Credit One new scale from Level D, student’s choice. One octave using separate bows
Level D
Scales Be able to perform the following scales using separate bows: A Major (two octaves), D Major (one octave), G Major (two octaves), and E natural minor (one octave)
Arpeggios Be able to perform the following arpeggios using separate bows: A Major (two octaves), D Major (one octave), G Major (two octaves), and E natural minor (one octave)
Note Identification Be able to identify, name, and play all notes in first position (including low 1s, low 2s, high 3s, and 4th fingers)
Extra Credit One new scale from Level E, student’s choice. One or two octaves using separate bows or 2-note slurs
Level E
Scales Be able to perform the following two-octave scales using separate bows or two-note slurs: A Major, D Major, G Major, G melodic minor, and A melodic minor
Arpeggios Be able to perform the following two-octave arpeggios using separate bows or three-note slurs: A Major, D Major, G Major, G melodic minor, and A melodic minor
Note Identification Be able to identify, name, and play all notes in first and third positions
Extra Credit One new scale from Level F, student’s choice. Two octaves using separate bows or 2-note slurs
Level F
Scales Be able to perform the following two-octave scales using separate bows or two-note slurs: A Major, B-flat Major, C Major, D Major, G Major, G melodic minor, and A melodic minor
Arpeggios Be able to perform the following two-octave arpeggios using separate bows or three-note slurs: A Major, B-flat Major, C Major, D Major, G Major, G melodic minor, and A melodic minor
Note Identification Be able to identify, name, and play all notes in first and third positions
Extra Credit One new scale from Level G-H, student’s choice. Two octaves using separate bows or 2-note slurs
Level G-H
Scales Be able to perform the following two-octave scales using separate bows or two-note slurs: A Major, B-flat Major, C Major, D Major, G Major, G melodic minor, and A melodic minor
PLUS a G Major three-octave scale with separate bows or three-note slurs
Arpeggios Be able to perform the following two-octave arpeggio using separate bows or three-note slurs: A Major, B-flat Major, C Major, D Major, G Major, G melodic minor, and A melodic minor
PLUS a G Major three-octave arpeggio with separate bows or three-note slurs
Note Identification Be able to identify, name, and play all notes in first, second, and third
positions
Extra Credit One new scale from Level I-J, student’s choice. Two octaves using separate bows or 2-note slurs
Level I-J
Scales Be able to perform the following three-octave scales using separate bows or two-note slurs: G Major/minor, A Major/minor, B-flat Major/minor, C Major/minor, D Major/minor, E-flat Major/minor, F Major/minor
Arpeggios Be able to perform the following three-octave arpeggios using separate bows for two-note slurs: G Major/minor, A Major/minor, B-flat Major/minor, C Major/minor, D Major/minor, E-flat Major/minor, F Major/minor
Note Identification Be able to identify, name, and play all notes in first, second, and third
positions
Extra Credit One minor scale from Level I-J, melodic minor form, student’s choice. Two octaves using separate bows or 2-note slurs

Sample Theory Tests

These sample tests are examples of the types of questions and the materials that will appear on the tests. The actual tests may be in a different format.

Violin

Sight Reading/Singing Examples