Instrumental Competition
Awards
Senior Nerenberg Division
For women-identifying instrumentalists aged 23-30.
1st Prize:
$5,000 award
2 year MCW membership
MCW-hosted public performance***
2nd Prize:
$3,000 award
2 year MCW membership
MCW-hosted public performance***
*** A short 15-20 min performance required at an MCW club concert (club concerts are held on the 3rd Monday of each month from 11am-12pm) as recipient of award. No additional remuneration is provided for this performance, however the club will pay for your collaborative pianist.
Junior Nerenberg Division
For women-identifying instrumentalists aged 16-22.
1st Prize:
$2,500 award
2 year MCW membership
MCW-hosted public performance***
2nd Prize:
$2,000 award
2 year MCW membership
MCW-hosted public performance***
*** A short 15-20 min performance required at an MCW club concert (club concerts are held on the 3rd Monday of each month from 11am-12pm) as recipient of award. No additional remuneration is provided for this performance, however the club will pay for your collaborative pianist.
Farwell Trust Award(s)
Farwell awards are discretionary awards which may be given to performers in either division not awarded a Harvey, Newfield or Nerenberg award. Winners are determined as worthy of support by the judges as well as members of the Board of Directors. This award amount is flexible and will depend on the amount made available to MCW by the Farwell Trust. Winners will also receive MCW membership and may be scheduled for an MCW-hosted public performance.
Carefully review the information about Demonstration of Financial Need in the Awards Information drop down. Submission of Demonstration of Financial need is required to win a Farwell award.
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Audition Repertoire Requirements
VIDEO ROUND:
Record at least one complete work from the repertoire guidelines for your instrument. (Percussionists: see special guidelines along with repertoire below)
Audition videos are to be a minimum of 5 minutes, with no upper limit. Applicants are advised to take advantage of the time to demonstrate as broad a range of artistry, variety, and technical skill as possible.
Repertoire for the video round does not need to be the same as the live round, as long as it meets the requirements.
LIVE ROUND
Applicants should determine a list of repertoire that satisfies the requirements for their instrument.
No changes to repertoire lists will be allowed after application is received.
Repertoire lists should be a minimum of 15 minutes in length. No maximum requirement.
Judges will choose from candidates’ repertoire list which selections they will hear during the audition window. Candidates will not be notified ahead of time which musical selections they will be asked to perform. However, you may choose your first selection.
All music shall be performed with accompaniment as applicable (orchestral reductions with cuts, etc. are acceptable), for all rounds of competition.
If applicants have any questions about whether their chosen repertoire satisfies the repertoire requirements, e-mail the Competition Director at scholarshipmcw@gmail.com well in advance of deadlines.
Classical Guitar
All works are to be memorized unless otherwise stated.
One movement from a composition by Bach OR One movement of a work from the Classical era
One movement of a work in Impressionist, Romantic, or Neo-Romantic style
Work composed after 1950 (memorization not required)
*At least one work must be by a composer who is woman-identifying and/or BIPOC
Harp
All works are to be memorized unless otherwise stated.
One movement of a work from the Baroque era
Complete movement of a concerto of advanced difficulty (memorization not required)
One standard concert piece
*At least one work must be by a composer who is woman-identifying and/or BIPOC
Percussion
All works are to be memorized unless otherwise stated.
A 2-mallet solo of choice (ex. Bach on marimba, ragtime or modern xylophone)
A contemporary 4-mallet marimba or vibraphone solo
A snare drum solo of your choice
*At least one work must be by a composer who is woman-identifying and/or BIPOC
Please note: for the Video round, the 2 or 4-mallet solo must be submitted. The snare solo does not qualify for the video round.
MCW will provide rented instruments for the competition live round (rented instrument budget up to $500 per finalist, finalists pay difference on higher amounts of instruments needed)
Piano
All works are to be memorized unless otherwise stated.
Bach Prelude and Fugue OR the first movement of a Sonata from the Classical Era
A work of Romantic, Impressionist, or Neo-Romantic style (pre-1950)
Work composed after 1950 (memorization not required)
*At least one work must be by a composer who is woman-identifying and/or BIPOC
Strings
All works are to be memorized unless otherwise stated.
One movement of unaccompanied Bach
Complete movement of a concerto of advanced difficulty (composed between 1750 and 1950)
Work composed after 1950 (memorization not required)
*At least one work must be by a composer who is woman-identifying and/or BIPOC
Woodwinds/Brass
All works are to be memorized unless otherwise stated.
Complete movement of a concerto of advanced difficulty (from different era than sonata/sonatina/sonatine)
First movement of a sonata/sonatina/sonatine of advanced difficulty (from different era than concerto) (memorization not required)
Work composed after 1950 (NOT a sonata/sonatina/sonatine) (memorization not required)
In order to meet required minimum time limits, applicants are permitted to submit additional movements for the sonata/sonatina/sonatine requirement (as in the case of certain sonatas such as Hindemith, which would be too short on their own)
*At least one work must be by a composer who is woman-identifying and/or BIPOC
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Contact the Competition Director with any questions about fulfilling the repertoire requirements: scholarshipmcw@gmail.com