*Please refer to the Rise Music Studio calendar on My Music Staff for event dates and registration deadline dates.
Recitals
Studio Recitals:
RMS hosts a studio recital each year in April or May. This is the only event that participation is expected, and all students are expected to perform. It is an exciting opportunity for students to show what they have learned throughout the year. An awards ceremony follows the recital for those students who have participated in an event outside of the studio during the current year.
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Based on interest, RMS hosts an informal Christmas Recital in December. This recital may be held live over ZOOM, in-person at the studio or pre-recorded and published on You Tube. Typically music is not required to be memorized, but the music is expected to be performance-ready.
SSMTA Recitals:
Through South Suburban Music Teachers Association (SSMTA), recitals are offered to the students of Rise Music Studio throughout the year. They are held at a local church. Students are encouraged to perform in at least one of the recitals offered. The fee required to enter is $10.00 per student per recital (cost is subject to change). For example, an Informal Recital is offered in the Fall to give students an opportunity to perform with music, and a Formal Recital is offered in the Winter to allow performance practice on a polished piece before the "Competition Season" begins. SSMTA awards medals to students who perform in 2 or more of these recitals each year.
Competition Opportunities
The MMTA Challenge Award:
The Minnesota Music Teachers Association Challenge Award is an awards program to encourage student participation in all MMTA programs, It offers tangible rewards to students for the years of hard work spend developing their skills. Students earn points for participation in each MMTA program. Teachers track the progress of their students and order awards annually. Awards include an award ribbon, bronze, silver, and gold star pins, and the Challenge Award trophy.
The MFMC Festival:
The Minnesota Federation of Music Clubs Festival is an event held each year in the Rosemount, Apple Valley and Eagan area. Students perform two pieces for a judge - one required piece and choice piece - and receive a score from 1 to 5 (5 being "Superior"). These points are added up from year to year to earn gold cups. Students need 15 points to receive a gold cup, or a minimum of 3 years. Performing by memory is required.
The MMTA Contest:
The MMTA Contest is held each year during January/March at a local college/university. Students are required to perform one pre-selected piece for a judge in the Preliminary Contest. Finalists go on to perform the same piece again in the Final Contest. Winners play in an Honors Concert at the Minneapolis Convention Center in late Spring. Students entering category Intermediate A and above must pass the Level 2 Theory Exam prior to the contest to qualify to perform in the concert. Students may also enter this event under the Solo Festival category, where they would not compete in the Contest, but would perform for a judge and receive a critique. Festival participants do not move on to Finals and are not eligible for the Honors Concert. Performing by memory is required.
Music Bridges:
Music Bridges is an MMTA Program which allows each student to create his/her program of 5 activities and be evaluated by a judge. Some opportunities include performing on a secondary instrument, composing a piece, drawing a picture to go with a piece, attending concerts, doing research on a music-relate topic of choice, and conducting off of a score. If scheduling allows, students will prepare a Music Bridges program whether or not they have it evaluated as part of their education in piano.
Piano Exams:
Piano Exams are sponsored by MMTA to develop proficiency and musicianship through twelve levels of curriculum encompassing keyboard skills, sightplaying, and repertoire. Keyboard Skills include scales, chords, and arpeggios from elementary to advanced (Level Prerparatory-11). Sightplaying helps students gain proficiency in playing at sight at the keyboard through seven levels of exams. Exams are held throughout the year, held at several locations.
Theory Exams:
MMTA Theory exams are held to develop skills in music theory notation; ear training; analysis of structure and form; integration of these elements in repertoire and keyboard facility. Exams are held in every district around the state throughout the year. The deadline is generally five weeks before the exam date.