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Bach Festival

Keyboard Competition for Young Performers

Categories and Age Requirements

Contestants may compete in up to two categories and a fee is required for each category entered.

  1. Anna Magdalena Notebook: open to students in grades 2 to 6*
  2. Little Preludes and Fugues (Little Preludes for Wilhelm Friedeman, Six Little Preludes for Beginners, Six Little Preludes, Little Fugues and Preludes with Fughettas): open to students in grades 5 through 8.*
  3. Two Part Inventions: grades 5 through 8*
  4. Three Part Inventions: grades 8 through 12.*
  5. Suites, Partitas (two contrasting movements required): open to high school students, grades 9 to 12.*
  6. A Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier, books I or II: high school students, grades 9 to 12.*
  7. Collegiate Division: Italian Concerto, Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, Toccatas, a complete French or English Suite or Partita, a Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier, books I or II. Open to college undergraduates who attend a college or university in Michigan. Contestants in this category must perform all movements of the work chosen.
    1. Any student residing or studying in West Michigan is eligible.
    2. There will be a first-place winner in each category. (At the judge’s discretion, the number of entrants and quality of performance in a given category may justify second and third- place winners).
    3. All repertoire is to be memorized and one copy is to be provided for the judge. Please number all measures.
    4. Any student may enter a category higher than their grade designation.
    5. Students may enter in up to two categories.
    6. Winners in each category will perform in a Festival Concert at Grand Rapids Community College on April 19, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. In addition, winners may have the opportunity to perform in concerts for school children to be held at the St. Cecilia Music Society during the Festival.

* Please note: There is considerable variance in levels of difficulty in each category. Teachers are encouraged to choose literature that best fits individual student abilities. The most difficult pieces in each category will not necessarily have an advantage. Excellence of performance is the primary consideration. The objective will be to provide a broad representation of Bach’s keyboard works, suitable for young performers of all ages.

Any questions concerning repertoire may be directed to Dr. Debora DeWitt at (616) 234-4192 or ddewitt@grcc.edu.


Updated on 25-NOV-08
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