Eligibility: Piano students of FPM members, 18 years or under. Students and teachers must reside within Alachua County and contiguous counties. Student entrant must have studied piano with the same teacher for at least six consecutive months prior to the competition. Teacher must have active membership in FPM. For membership information, see http://www.thefpm.org/
Student limit: Each teacher may enter up to 15 students.
Registration deadline: October 8, 2025, 11:59 PM
Non-refundable fee: $20 per entry, postmarked by October 8, 2025
Sonatinas Only: Youtube Video submission deadline: November 1, 2025, by 11:59 pm
Sonatas Only: In-person auditions on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Holy Faith Catholic Church Parish Life Center (747 NW 43rd St, Gainesville 32607)
Winners Recital: November 23, 2025, at 2 pm at Thomas Center, Gainesville.
Students will be divided into categories, according to age as of December 1, 2025, and whether the student is entering a Sonata or Sonatina. Only one entry per student.
First place winners in the Sonata-Sonatina Festival are not eligible to compete again in same Division, but may enter when eligible in the next age category.
Division I (ages 6, 7, and 8) Sonatinas by video
Division II (ages 9 and 10) Sonatinas by video
Division III (ages 11 and 12) Sonatinas by video
Division IV (ages 13 and 14) Sonatinas by video
Division V (ages 15 to 18) Sonatinas by video
Division VI (ages 6 to 10) Sonatas in person
Division VII (ages 11 and 12) Sonatas in person
Division VIII (ages 13 and 14) Sonatas in person
Division IX (ages 15 and 16) Sonatas in person
Division X (ages 17 and 18) Sonatas in person
Repertoire Requirements:
Students are required to perform from memory one movement from any piano Sonata or Sonatina by any composer and of any difficulty (no repeats and no first endings). A student may not audition with a Sonata or Sonatina previously entered. A different movement of the same Sonata or Sonatina is allowed. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes per entry.
All pieces must be in original form and written for piano solo. No transcriptions, simplified music, or arrangements will be accepted. Theme and Variations are considered one movement - all variations must be performed.
There will be no repertoire changes allowed after registration.
Sonatinas Only: Youtube Video Submission Instructions
Complete, sign, and email the Consent Form to Wanda Louie at wlpiano23@gmail.com by October 11, 2025.
You may use your cellphone, tablet, video camera, or computer to record the performance. Good sound and video quality are important.
Students are dressed in recital attire.
Student’s head, arms, hands, feet, and three pedals are visible at all times during the performance.
Video must be made in one continuous take, from one fixed camera angle/location, and in landscape (horizontal) mode. Editing, splicing, or manipulation of the recording is not allowed. No zooming in and out. The recording device must be stationary. There will be no applause and no talking on the recording. Youtube video shorts are not acceptable.
Submit a recent video, taken between October 18 and November 1, 2025, 11:59 pm EST. Upload your video to YouTube.com with visibility set to "unlisted".
Label the uploaded video file with the student's name, name of the composer, title of piece, and movement. For example, "John White. Clementi, Sonatina Op. 36 No. 1, I. Spiritoso"
Enter your Youtube video link on "Submit Video Here" page by November 1, 2025, 11:59 pm EST. Late video submissions will not be accepted.
Once a video is submitted, no substitutions or additional videos will be allowed.
Sonatas Only: In person audition instructions
The Sonata divisions (Divisions VI through X) will be in person competition in a recital format on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Holy Faith Catholic Church Parish Life Center (747 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, 32607). Parents, teachers and guests are welcome to observe the performances. Students, parents, and guests are expected to remain in the audition room for the duration of the group.
Audition times will be emailed to the teachers after registration.
Students should be dressed in recital attire.
Students are to arrive 15 minutes before scheduled time to check in.
No video or audio recording or photos are allowed for in person competition. Cell phones must be turned off.
Students must present to the judge an original published score with bars numbered at the beginning of each line. No photocopies are allowed. The teacher's name may not appear on the score.
There will be no applause. Bowing is optional.
Teachers, parents and students may not talk to the judge before, during or after the competition.
Awards (for Sonatinas and Sonatas)
Judge will select a winner, second place, and honorable mention in each division. Honorable Mentions are at the discretion of the judge. Judge’s decision is final.
Results will be sent by email to the teachers.
First place winners of each division will receive $25 and a trophy. Winners are expected to perform at the Winners' Recital on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 2 pm at the Thomas Center. Winners who are not able to perform at the recital are ineligible for the cash award.
Second place and Honorable Mention will receive ribbons.
All participants will receive a written evaluation.
For more information, contact Wanda Louie at wlpiano23@gmail.com