Music Competition

The Academy hosts a Biennial Music Competition open to Academy students, students in the community from other schools and studios, and amateur adult performers!

All Competition Participants Will Receive:
• Individual feedback from select George Mason University Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music professors
• Valuable audition experience

Select high-performing students will also receive the chance to perform in the Competition Honors Recital in Harris Theater on the university Fairfax campus!

Net competition proceeds will go toward funding Academy scholarships and outreach programs.

Competition Requirements

• Participants may perform one piece totaling no more than sevent minutes.
• Memorization of the piece is encouraged, but not required.
• Participants will submit one video recording of an unedited performance as an unlisted YouTube link. Submission instructions will be communicated via email after MCAA receives your application.
• Video recordings must be well lit and show the performer’s entire body and instruments. Music stands should not block the view of the performer.
• Video recordings must be performed in one take and must not be edited. Edited videos will lead to disqualification.
• Pieces with written accompaniment must be accompanied by a live pianist in the video or performed alongside a recorded accompaniment track. Performers must provide their own collaborative pianist for both the recording and the Honors Recital, if selected to perform.
• Participants must also submit a pdf of their full score (including piano accompaniment if applicable) with numbered measures. Scores without numbered measures will not be considered.

Step One: Submit Your Competition Application

• All participants must first submit a competition application and pay the $45 application fee
  
• All participants must confirm at the time of the initial application that if selected for the Honors Recital, they guarantee their availability on the performance date

Discounted Application Fee is available for currently enrolled MCAA private lesson students.
Please refer to Academy Competition emails or contact [email protected] for the discount code.

Step Two: Submit Your Audition Video

• After completing the competition application, you will receive an email from the Academy ([email protected]) with a link to the Audition Video Submission Form. All video submissions must be uploaded by the due date to be eligible for consideration.
  
• At this stage, there will be an option to select to receive comments only on your submission. Select this option if you DO NOT wish to be considered for participation in the Competition Honors Recital.

Results and Feedback

• Adjudicator feedback will be provided to all applicants.
  
• Participants selected to perform on the Competition Honors Recital will also be notified. At this time, participants will receive a link to register for the recital and pay the $50 recital fee.