PMTA Fall Festival 2024
This event is sponsored by the Phoenix Music Teachers Association and is held the latter part of October or early November. The purpose of the Fall Festival is to provide students with the opportunity for a private adjudication before a judge. Each student receives a written critique and either a Participation ribbon or a Bronze, Silver or Gold Medal. A recital and awards ceremony with Gold Medal winners is held the day following the auditions.
Students can elect to perform two pieces from memory. Each year there is a Fall Festival ‘theme’ and repertoire is selected from a list of pieces. The repertoire is chosen from piano literature and does not allow popular music. If a student chooses only to have an adjudication and not be eligible for award medals, they may play with music and receive a Participation Ribbon. Music memorization automatically places students into a competitive event.
2024 Fall Festival
Waltz, Nocturne, Mazurka
Adjudications – Saturday, October 26, 2024
Glendale Community College Music Building
Gold Medal Recital – Sunday, October 27, 2024
Glendale Community College Music Building
PMTA Gold Medal Winners 2023
Emily Pollack
Sonatina in A-minor | Georg Benda
Henry Sperry
Grand Entrance | Gasparini
Congratulations!
So proud of you.
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PMTA Gold Medal Winner 2022
Henry Sperry
Tolling Bells – Stephen Heller
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What is the PMTA Piano Ensemble?
The Phoenix Music Teachers Association’s Piano Ensemble is one of the PMTA’s oldest and most beloved traditions. Beginning in 1952, it continues to strive to provide a unique ensemble performance opportunity for piano students, using a variety of musical genre. The PMTA Piano Ensemble has become well-known throughout the Valley as an excellent musical experience for both observers and performers. In recent years, world-renowned composers Kevin Olson, Robert Vandall, Melody Bober and David Karp have eagerly accepted commissions to compose specifically for the Piano Ensemble, and they have also been honored conductors at the concerts.
This annual event is during February and culminates with two concerts held at a local high school. Students learn one part of an assigned duet. There are three rehearsals and a dress rehearsal the day of the Ensemble Concert. Students must be 8 years of age by September of the current academic school year in order to participate. Students are recognized with continuing participation with a 4-year, 8-year and 10-year trophy. The 8th, 9th, and 10th year students also receive a cash award. After five years, students have their photograph in the concert program.
Interesting Ensemble Factoids from MWC
This will be the 43rd year Carolyn Inabinet, NCTM, has entered students in this annual event.
MWC Instructor, Michaela Hyde, participated in this event as Inabinet’s student for ten years.
Micahela Hyde serves on the PMTA Ensemble Committee.
PMTA 2025 Ensemble Info
Arcadia High School Concert | February xx
Rehearsal Locations
Camelback High School Piano Lab | 4612 North 28th Street, PHX
Arizona Conservatory for the Arts & Academics [ACAA] | 2820 West Kelton Lane, PHX
January xx and February x | Saturday Rehearsals
ACAA
January xx and February x Rehearsals | Tuesday Rehearsals
ACAA and Camelback
February x and February x | Thursday Rehearsals
ACAA and Camelback
Ensemble Selections
Rock It!
Zum Gali Gali
Jalapeno Hop
Great Beginnings
I Wanna Be a Spy
Power Play
Monster’s Inc
Cloud Nine
Icicle Waltz
Hedwig’s Theme
Swingtime
The Knight Goes Riding
Brightwood Barn
Tico-Tico No Fuba
The Monster Factory
Clap Your Hands
2021 PMTA Virtual Piano Ensemble
MWC Participants
Cherished Memories
Sophie Balliet, Lilah Balliet, Maddy Pennell,
Maddy Horejs, Ayla Miller
Smokey Mountain Reel
Heloise Cenac
Will Klemmer
Dixieland Detectives
Griffin Raia, Diana Kerwin, Cali Pennell,
Lauren Wilcox, Emma Bakhru, Yzabella Bernatene
Salt Creek Scherzo
Andrew Rhoads, Tyler Fales, Jack Wahl,
Taara Shastri, Sarah Klemmer, Aidin Miller
Autumn Ballade
Susan Anderson, Ed Perrin, Walter Lindsay, Maggie Lindsay
Francisco Naranjo, Conductor
National Guild of Piano Teachers
The National Guild of Piano Teachers Auditions are held each Spring across the United States. Adjudicators are sent to audition centers where they hear students perform 1 – 20 memorized pieces.
The Guild adjudication location for North Central Phoenix Phoenix is Piano Gallery in Scottsdale. Students receive a report card with adjudication comments as well as a national guild pin.
Why participate in National Guild Auditions?
- Guild auditions are a good end-of-the-year ‘summary’ and give students a goal to work toward for May.
- Participation in Guild Auditions is always a good addition to college applications.
Guild auditions are held in May. Schedules are sent out after enrollment. Each teacher is given a time dependent upon the number of participants. Auditions are held from 9:30-5:00. Students will need to be released from school approximately one hour including travel to and from the audition center.