February 14, 2010

The 2010 MTAC-San Diego Branch VOCE Competition Recital will be held on February 14, 2010 at Hammond Ashley Violins in San Diego. This VOCE competition recital is open to students of all MTAC members in good standing. Additionally, all contestants must have studied with their MTAC member teachers for at least six months. Any students who do not qualify to compete in the VOCE competition (e.g. students of non-MTAC members) may also participate in the 2010 MTAC-San Diego Branch VOCE recital on a non-competitive basis. Non-competitive participants in the VOCE recital will receive evaluation comments from the judges; but they will not be eligible for advancement in the VOCE process.

First Place Winners from the San Diego Branch (chosen from the competitors in each category) may advance to the State Finals Competition. First Place Winners of the State Finals Competition will be asked to perform on the VOCE Recital at the 2010 MTAC State Convention in June, where they will receive their cash awards (see VOCE Guidelines 2009-2010 for detail). Please refer to VOCE Guidelines & Eligibility for 2009-2010 at http://www.mtac.org/programs/voce for full details about the competition (categories and age limits, repertoire, eligibility, competition procedures, fees and other details).

What The 2010 MTAC-San Diego Branch VOCE Branch Competition Recital
When Sunday, February 14, 2010
Where Hammond Ashley Violins
6255 Ferris Square, Suite E, San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 623-0241

Postmark deadline January 27, 2010
Application form Fill out online application form printed on yellow paper http://www.mtac.org/programs/voce
VOCE Chair
Ruslan Biryukov (San Diego Branch VOCE Chair)
P. O. Box 39554
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Mailing address
Ruslan Biryukov
San Diego Branch VOCE Chair
P.O. Box 39554
Los Angeles, CA 90039

VOCE Guidelines Please refer to VOCE GUIDELINES & ELIGIBILITY) for 2009-2010 at http://www.mtac.org/programs/voce for full details about the competition (categories and age limits, repertoire, eligibility, competition procedures, fees and other details).

Questions Please direct all registration-related questions to Mary Au at (323) 666-2603 or e-mail maryau888@gmail.com

Dates and Deadlines

Eligibility
1. Open to Vocalists, Orchestral Instrumentalists, and Chamber Music Ensembles (including pianists) who are students of all MTAC-San Diego Branch members in good standing.
2. Students must have studied for at least 6 months (at least 75% of the time) with their primary entering teacher.
3. Two categories of performers are allowed at the branch level: non-competitive and competitive. Non-qualifying students (e.g. non MTAC member students) may perform only on the Branch level on a non-competitive basis.
4. For Solo category - All solo pieces must be memorized including sonatas.
5. For Ensemble category - Major sonatas for piano and either a wind or string instrument, in which the piano score is written as an equal part and not as an accompaniment, can be considered an ensemble. Sonatas played in the Ensemble category should be played with music.
6. Please refer to the official online VOCE GUIDELINES & ELIGIBILITY for 2009-2010 for FULL details.
Categories & Age Limits (Age limit is as of February 1 of the year of competition)
1. Solo Voice: Intermediate (age 17 & under), Senior (age 18 - 23)
2. Solo String: Junior (age 12 and under), Intermediate (age 13-15), Senior (age 16 - 18)
3. Solo Wind: Intermediate (age 15 and under), Senior (age 16 - 20)
4. Instrumental Chamber Music Ensemble (2-5 students, no professionals): Intermediate (average age 15 and under) Senior (average age 16 - 20)
5. Vocal Chamber Music Ensemble (3-5 students, no professionals): Senior (average age 23 & under)
6. Please refer to online VOCE GUIDELINES & ELIGIBILITY for 2009-2010 for FULL details.

Repertoire
1. All repertoire must include at least one piece from the standard literature for that category.
2. No transcriptions, arrangements or abridged versions will be accepted.
3. All solo repertoire must be memorized (including sonatas) by competitive performers.
4. Sonatas played in the Ensemble category should be played with music.
5. Performance from memory is optional for non-competitive performers.
6. Vocalists - Three selections in the original language using English and two other languages.
7. Solo Instrumentalists - Two contrasting selections of different periods, styles and tempi. At least one piece must be a concerto or equivalent major work with orchestral accompaniment. Unaccompanied works are only acceptable if paired with a concerto.
8. Chamber Music Ensembles - Two substantial, contrasting movements selected from repertoire of different musical periods.
9. Please refer to online VOCE GUIDELINES & ELIGIBILITY for 2009-2010 for FULL details.

Awards
1. Judges may select a First, Second and Third Place winner for each category.
2. Ties are allowed.
3. Alternates may be chosen for each category.
4. At the recommendation of the judging panel, the First place winners may advance to the State Finals competition. In the event that a First Place Winner cannot perform at the State Finals, the Alternate Winner for that category will be asked to take his or her place.
5. Each performer will receive a Certificate of Participation and/or other awards.
6. Winners and Honorable Mentions will be announced immediately following the completion of the 2010 MTAC-San Diego Branch VOCE Competition Recital. Awards will be presented to all winners at that time.

Application Form
1. Please enter all application forms online, then print on yellow paper for entries.
Please go online to www.mtac.org, click on “VOCE” (under programs from the left hand list) then click on “VOCE Application Form” to download the VOCE application form.
2. After you have filled out the application on your computer, be sure to and print the form out on YELLOW paper.
3. You can also print out the application form and type on it manually.

Fees
1. Fees apply to both competitive and non-competitive performers
2. $60 for each Solo performer
3. $40 for each Ensemble member (per performer)
Audition Procedures
1. Each contestant or ensemble is given 9 minutes maximum performance time.
2. All music requiring piano accompaniment (including concerto) must have an accompanist.
3. Each performer should provide a copy of music (piano score) to the judging panel. No photocopies allowed.
4. Photocopied music at the performance (for students or for judges) will result in immediate disqualification.
5. Judges have the right to stop a contestant during a piece for time consideration.
6. Judges may choose whether or not to hear a cadenza.
7. The judging panel reserves the right to not select a First place winner in every category if the contestants are not sufficiently qualified.
8. The decision of the judges is final.
9. Please refer to the VOCE GUIDELINES & ELIGIBILITY for VOCE 2009-2010 for details.

Application procedures
1. Use online application form and print form on yellow paper
2. Send completed application form in duplicate (both pages printed on yellow paper)
3. Send proof of age (e.g. birth certificate, passport)
4. Send application fee (one check per entry for total amount drawn on the teacher’s account) made payable to MTAC San Diego Branch. Please write student performer’s name on the memo field of each check.
5. Send one large stamped (at least $1.22) and self-addressed manila envelope (9x10 or 10x13). Please make sure that the address is the entering teacher’s address (not student’s address).
6. Please mail complete application package to: Ruslan Biryukov, MTAC-San Diego Branch VOCE chair, P.O. Box 39554, Los Angeles, CA 90039 postmarked by the San Diego Branch designated application deadline.
7. Please direct all registration related questions to Mary Au at (323) 666-2603 or voce@altopolis.com.