Piano Competition

Competitions

The 2025 UTM Piano Competition will take place Saturday, March 15, in the Blankenship Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Building on the UTM Campus.  The entry deadline is Friday, February 28. The schedule of performance times will be emailed to all contestants on Saturday, March 8.

Eligibility

Category I: Piano Solo, High School Grades 10 through 12

Category II: Piano Solo, Grades 7 through 9

Category III: The Elaine Harriss Elementary Competition (Piano Solo through Grade 6)

Category IV: The Allison Nelson Piano Ensemble Competition (any combination of players for 1 or 2 pianos through Grade 12)

Students must enter the solo category which correlates with their grade in school.  Previous first-place winners are ineligible to enter the same category the following year.  

Repertoire

Each contestant/ensemble is to perform a maximum of two contrasting works/movements from the standard piano repertoire, not to exceed a total of 15 minutes.  No arrangements/transcriptions, hymns, or teaching pieces are allowed in the solo category without prior approval.  Ensemble entries my use arrangements and transcriptions.  Solo works are to be performed from memory; ensemble players may use music. No unauthorized photocopies are allowed. 

Prizes

Category I - First place $300  |   Second place $150

Category II - First place $150 |   Second place $100

Category III - First place $150      |   Second place $100

Category IV - First place $150

All entrants will receive a certificate and a copy of the judge’s evaluation.

UTM Music Scholarships

In addition to the prizes above, first place winners in Category I may be eligible for a $12,000 Chancellor’s Music Scholarship and second place winners for a $6,000 Honors Music Scholarship. All graduating seniors performing successfully in the competition will be offered a minimum $4,000 music scholarship. Scholarships are subject to UTM regulations. All scholarships listed above are awarded over a four year period and contingent upon full acceptance to the university, a successful audition to the department of music as a music major, a 22 ACT score, and a 2.75 GPA.

Application

Application and payment of the non-refundable entrance fee of $35 for each solo entry and each ensemble entry is to be made online using the links below. 

• Solo Application Form

• Ensemble Application Form

Deadline

Completed applications including payment must be made online no later than Friday, February 28, 2025. Confirmation of completed application will be sent to the email address(s) on the application. Contact Dr. Harriss (elaineh@utm.edu or 731-881-7411) if you do not receive electronic confirmation by March 5, 2025.

Dr. Elaine Harriss, Department of Music
233 Fine Arts Building, 16 Mt. Pelia Road
University of Tennessee at Martin
Martin, TN 38238