Student Activities
These activities are sponsored annually by MCMTA for the benefit and enjoyment of our students. Your member teacher will incorporate a number of these activities into his or her studio plan.
CLICK HERE TO SEE DATES FOR THESE EVENTS
(N O T E: Events marked with * require Student Affiliate membership, available to students of MCMTA teachers.)
Fall Festival (Registration form) ADDITIONAL INFO
How about a little jazz, or maybe something Baroque? What about a duet? Just about anything goes at this festival! This is not a competition. The student performs a memorized piece for a judge in a private setting. The judge may discuss the music briefly with the student, then will prepare a written critique and evaluation of the performance which will include a rating of Superior, Excellent or Good (+ or - may be added). Every student receives a participation ribbon. Exceptional performances will receive a rating of Superior Plus and those students will be invited to perform their selections at the Honors Recitals. They will receive a trophy.
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Theory Test; Fall*
Become a music theory guru! Win a bronze, silver, orGOLD medal. Amaze your friends and family!
The Student Affiliate Whitlock Theory Tests are administered throughout Texas under the guidance and direction of the Texas Music Teachers Association. This first of two tests is offered in the Fall of each year. The body of tests is designed with gradual increases in difficulty, and the tests are labeled by grade level to correlate to the student's school grade level.
A passing theory test score for the appropriate grade level is required each year for a student to participate in the competitions and activities offered at the state convention. Students scoring higher than 90% are awarded bronze medals. Students scoring 94% or higher earn silver medals. Score 98% or higher and win a GOLD medal!
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Original Composition Contest*
Are you a composer? Submit your manuscript. Winners move on to the state finals.
This contest is jointly sponsored by Metroplex MTA, Mid-Cities MTA, Crosstimbers MTA, Fort Worth MTA and Weatherford MTA. The contest is intended to encourage students to share their creative endeavors with others and to allow students the opportunity to have their work evaluated by a proven composer. In addition, the students' compositions are performed in a public recital. All local level participants receive a certificate. Rating I students receive trophies. At the state level, all participants receive certificates. State winners receive cash awards and trophies at the state convention performance.
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Performance Competition*
Begin with our local competition and advance to the state or even national finals. This will appeal to the serious competitor.
Winners of the local competition move on to the district level and perform the same repertoire selection. District winners advance to the state competition which is held during the state convention. State winners are presented in recital at the convention.
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Publication Contest*
Are you an author? Winning articles are published in the Texas Music Teacher magazine. Check with your teacher for this year's topics!
Category |
Grades |
Number of Words |
I |
1-2 |
75-250 |
II |
3-4 |
250-500 |
III |
5-6 |
400-600 |
IV |
7-8 |
500-700 |
V |
9-10 |
600-800 |
VI |
11-12 |
700-900 |
VII |
post 12th grade |
750-1000 |
Theory Test*; Spring*
Missed the Fall theory test or want to score even higher? Got your sights on that GOLD medal?
The Student Affiliate Whitlock Theory Tests are administered throughout Texas under the guidance and direction of the Texas Music Teachers Association. This second of two tests is offered in the Spring of each year. The body of tests is designed with gradual increases in difficulty, and the tests are labeled by grade level to correlate to the student's school grade level. The Spring test will fulfill the theory test requirement for state participation, and a better grade on the Spring test will replace a lesser grade on the Fall test.
A passing theory test score for the appropriate grade level is required each year for a student to participate in the competitions and activities offered at the state convention. Students scoring higher than 90% are awarded bronze medals. Students scoring 94% or higher earn silver medals. Score 98% or higher and win a GOLD medal!
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Sonatina Festival (Registration form) ADDITIONAL INFO
Play a movement from a sonata or sonatina - it's up to you (and your teacher, of course).
This is not a competition. The student performs one memorized movement from a sonatina or sonata for a judge in a private setting. The judge may discuss the music briefly with the student, then will prepare a written critique and evaluation of the performance which will include a rating of Superior, Excellent or Good (+ or - may be added). Every student receives a participation ribbon. Exceptional performances will receive a rating of Superior Plus and those students will be invited to perform their selections at the Honors Recitals. They will receive a trophy.
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World of Music Test*
Composer biographies, music styles, music history. Expand your music horizon.
Test preparation may include online research, working in study guides, and listening to music selections. These tests are administered in the Spring throughout Texas under the direction of the Texas Music Teachers Association.
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State Convention Piano Ensembles*
Costumes, ten pianos, team performance. Go to the state convention with us in June.
Imagine ten (yes, 10!) pianos on the stage with 2 or 3 students at each piano. This is a rare opportunity for pianists to be part of a large all piano ensemble. First, you must have a passing grade on the Fall or Spring theory test and you must learn your part. Then, team rehearsals begin weeks before the state convention. Prepare your costume, and then, pack your bags for the state convention! Once we're there, one last rehearsal and then, it's the real thing -- the performance.
Now imagine 2,500 to 3,000 fellow young musicians and their families arriving from all over Texas, and you have an idea of the excitement you will find at the convention!
State Convention Chamber Music Festival*
Do you play a second instrument? Maybe flute, saxophone, clarinet, bassoon, oboe? How about a trumpet, or a euphonium? Maybe even a string instrument! Take it with you to the state convention. Chamber music is performed by small ensembles of students. A clinician works with the ensembles in a master class and then the ensembles perform in a public recital during the convention. Frequently the chamber music ensembles are invited to perform during informal gatherings and in strategic public areas in the host hotel. The spotlight's on you!
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