About HMTA/PTF Spring Festival at JMU
The Festival is a special performance event open to pre-college students in the Shenandoah Valley. Early elementary to advanced pre-college students are welcome to participate!
Students will be grouped in recital formats based on their age and "level."
2026 Festival Date: March 7, 2026
Location: JMU Anthony Seeger, Recital Hall, and Music Building 142 (dependent on which recital the student is placed in)
Time: Morning
Honors Concert: March 8, 2026
Location: JMU Recital Hall
Time: 3:00 PM
Note: Teachers who are not part of HMTA/PTF are welcome to pay an additional $20 non-member fee to enroll their students in these recitals.
Have questions? Email Kama Miller ([email protected])
Please read below for specifics.
JUDGED FESTIVAL
Judged Festival Guidelines and Logistics
Open to pre-college piano soloists and piano duets who will play for two professional judges and receive written feedback as well as a "rating" for their performance.
Solo Entry Fee: $25 per participant
Duet Entry Fee: $12.50 per participant
Deadline: February 6
- Solo participants should plan to play 2 memorized contrasting pieces or songs
- Collaborative participants (piano duet) should plan to play 1 piece
- Time limits are as follows:
Download document below for more on procedures:
Solo Entry Fee: $25 per participant
Duet Entry Fee: $12.50 per participant
Deadline: February 6
- Solo participants should plan to play 2 memorized contrasting pieces or songs
- Collaborative participants (piano duet) should plan to play 1 piece
- Time limits are as follows:
- Early Elementary and Elementary: 3 minutes total
- Late Elementary and Early Intermediate: 5 minutes total
- Late Intermediate and Advanced: 10 minutes total
Download document below for more on procedures:
| festival_1_judged_festival_procedures.docx |
Download document below for more on guidelines:
| 2026_2_Festival_Guidelines.docx |
Judged Festival Registration
To Participate:
- Fill out Teacher Form and Solo Registration/Duet Registration Forms for each student (below)
- Send forms and payment (one check for your Festival participants made out to "HMTA-PTF") to Judged Festival coordinator, Kama Miller.
- After receiving your forms and payment, one of our team members will confirm your submission and notify you of your student's scheduled recital times.
Registration deadline: TBA
- Fill out Teacher Form and Solo Registration/Duet Registration Forms for each student (below)
- Send forms and payment (one check for your Festival participants made out to "HMTA-PTF") to Judged Festival coordinator, Kama Miller.
- After receiving your forms and payment, one of our team members will confirm your submission and notify you of your student's scheduled recital times.
Registration deadline: TBA
Download Judged Teacher Participation Form here:
| festival_3_teacher_form.docx |
Download Solo Participation Form here:
| festival_4_registration_form_solo.docx |
Download Piano Duo Participation Form here:
| 2026_5_festival_registration_form_duo .docx |
JMU Piano Day
ALL PIANO FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS are welcome to participate in PIANO DAY activities, which will take place on the same day, March 7, starting at 11:15 AM.
Each student should register for Piano Day (FREE OF CHARGE) by using the link:
https://www.jmu.edu/music/areas/piano-day.shtmlFestival 4 registration form solo.docx
Non-Judged Festival:
April 11, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Anthony-Seeger Auditorium, JMU
Non-Judged Festival Information:
Open to pre-college piano soloists, instrumentalists,
or piano/instrumental duo who will play in a recital.
Solo Entry Fee: $10 per participant
Collaborative Entry Fee: $5 per participant
Registration Deadline: April 5, 2026
- Solo participants should plan to play 1 piece or 2 contrasting pieces or songs
- Collaborative participants (piano duet) should plan to play 1 piece
- Memorization is not required
- Arrangements, improvisation, and pop music are welcome
- Time limits are as follows:
· Early Elementary and Elementary: 3 minutes total
Late Elementary and Early Intermediate: 5 minutes total·
Late Intermediate and Advanced: 10 minutes total
Non-Judged Festival Registration
TO PARTICIPATE:
· Click on the links to download registration forms
· Fill out (links below): Online Teacher Form and
Online Participant Forms for each student
Send payment to HMTA/PTF: one check for Non-Judged Festival participants made out to "HMTA/PTF"). Send your check to Non-Judged Festival Coordinator Paulo Steinberg:
JMU School of Music
Attn: Dr. Paulo Steinberg
880 South Main Street
MSC 7301
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Form 1: Teacher Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2D9NV4k990TQM9Hr8ibp4YqRqGvZNzVtpyS78E2Qm5nwvQg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=116306254179324589221
Form 2: Participant Registration Form
https://forms.gle/BdxiedhURL6d94A89