Event Dates, Times, and Location

January 24, 2026

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Kawai Piano Gallery, 5800 Richmond Avenue, Houston TX, 77057

Event Chair Information

Olga Marek [email protected]

Senior Advisor: Wilford Glenn

Description and Purpose of Event

This non-competitive festival/recital gives validation to the performance and appreciation of all styles of music. Students will be judged on the merits of their performance, not the difficulty of the piece(s).

Eligibility

Students Pre-K though post 12-grade

Adult hobbyists

Pianists, instrumentalists, vocalists are welcome.

Registration Deadline and Info

• Registration deadline is January 8, 2026.

• To register your students, please use the HMTA online application (found here).

• Your registration form should include the student’s age, length of study, and repertoire selection.

Event Fees

• $25 per soloist

• $20 per ensemble member

• Please pay online here. You will need your member’s password.

Event Requirements and/or Rules

Levels and Time Limits:

• Beginner and Late Beginner: 5 minutes

• Intermediate and Late Intermediate: 7 minutes

• Advanced: 10 minutes

Event Rules:

1. Students may play up to two pieces not to exceed the time limit. No teaching pieces or method book repertoire, please.

2. Memorization is required, except for ensembles.

3. Students must bring an original copy of their music for the judges. A printout from the internet is acceptable IF it is in public domain (such as from imslp.org) or if the teacher has proof of purchase of a digital copy. Students who do not bring an approved copy of their music will not be allowed to play.

4. All judging decisions will be left to the discretion of the judges and will not be contestable.

Attire

Semi Formal Attire; no jeans, shorts, t-shirts, or sneakers. The dress code applies to students, teachers and judges.

Awards

Those participating will receive a written critique. Students receiving an Excellent or Superior rating will receive a medal and are eligible to participate in the TMTA All-Star Music Festival in June.

Event Dates, Times, and Location

Sunday April 26, 2026

10:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Kawai Piano Gallery

5800 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77057

Event Chair and Committee Information

Chair: Kana Mimaki [email protected]

Committee member: Yanina Didyk

Description and Purpose of Event

Gives students the opportunity to perform chamber music and explore the realm of ensemble playing with other peers.

Eligibility

Open to all students and teachers, no membership to any professional association required.

Divisions:
Chamber Music: Chamber, Instrumental Ensembles, Vocal Ensembles

Category A : Pre-K through Grade 8

Category B : Grade 9 through 12

Piano Ensemble

Category C : Pre-K through Grade 8

Category D : Grade 9 through 12

Eligible Repertoire:

1. CHAMBER MUSIC: Two or more performers with equal parts (i.e. no solo with accompaniment, no concerto work), e.g., string trios, quartets, piano trios, brass quintets, woodwind quartets, etc.
2. INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES: All or most of the instruments are of the same design (i.e. trombone quartets, violin trios, etc.—this does not include piano ensembles).
3. PIANO ENSEMBLES: One piano 4-hands, 6-hands, 8-hands, and two piano ensembles (a.k.a. piano duos).
4. VOCAL ENSEMBLES: Two or more voices—only one person to a line. Accompanist does not need to be in the same age division.

Registration Deadline and Info

Registration must be received by March 31, 2026.

To register your students, email the following information to Kana Mimaki ([email protected]):

1) Name of student, age, and school grade, instrumentation, (e.g., piano primo, piano secondo, first violin, second violin etc.), age division, and type of ensemble.
Bob Smith, 13, 7th grade, piano primo, Junior, piano duet
Meg Ryan, 12, 6th grade, piano secondo, Junior, piano duet

2) Name of composer, composition, subtitles [if applicable], movement(s), and performance duration.
Dvorak: Slavonic Dance in E Minor, Op.72 No.2
Beethoven: Piano Trio Op.70 No.1 “Ghost”, I. Allegro vivace e con brio

Event Fees

$25 per person for HMTA members and $50 per person for non-members.

Please bring a check payable to HMTA in the March meeting or use a Zelle payment.

Event Requirements and/or Rules

Repertoire Requirements:
1. Compositions should be a standard work from any period.
2. No abridged or simplified works. Challenging artistic arrangements are allowed with approval of the Contest Chair.
3. Performances should not be less than 2 minutes, and should not exceed 15 minutes in length.

Event Rules:
1. One original full score or one copy of each part; copies from Public Domain sources are allowed (e.g., IMSLP).
2. Memorization of music is NOT required.
3. Photocopied parts for facilitating page turns during a performance will be allowed. Copies must be neatly contained in a three-ring binder or bound appropriately.
4. All members of the ensemble must be in the same age division. If one member of a group is in a higher age division, the average grade of the group will determine their age division.
5. No member of a collegiate group may play in another division.
6. Adults may not participate in the Elementary, Junior or Senior divisions.
7. Accompanists for vocalists may be adults.
8. The accompanists will not be judged.
9. The performance setting is a Recital Hall, so formal or performance attire is required.

Dress Code

Formal Performance Attire

Awards

1. A Certificate of Participation to all performers
2. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals will be awarded at the discretion of the judges for each age category.
3. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top ensemble of each category. If one category has a few participants, the category A and C (Pre-K through Grade 8), and Category B and D (Grade 9 through 12 ) may combine to select the top prize.

Category A: $120

Category B: $150

Category C: $120

Category D: $150