PIANO
All piano classes are now full and no further entries can be accepted. We do not operate a waiting list.
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The next Blackheath Music Festival will be held as an in-person festival on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May 2024.
The venue is Eltham College Junior and Senior Schools, Grove Park Rd, Mottingham, London SE9 4QF
Important announcement concerning awards and written adjudications at the 2024 festival:
Performers gaining one of the four highest levels of achievement will be awarded a Diamond, Gold, Silver or Bronze Award. In total there will be seven categories of achievement, and all categories will be awarded certificates.
Diamond and Gold Award performers will be announced but not ranked. No 1st, 2nd or 3rd placings will be awarded in any class in any section at the 2024 festival. This is to encourage performers to continue to aspire to even higher achievements as they continue to learn.
Dates: |
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May 2024 |
Closing date for entry: |
Sunday 24 March 2024 (or earlier if class lists become full) |
Age qualification: |
Age as at Wednesday 1 May 2024 |
Venue: |
Eltham College Junior and Senior Schools, Grove Park Rd, Mottingham, London SE9 4QF |
Adjudicators: |
Susan Clark (11 & 12 May), Belinda Mikhail (11 May) and Richard Deering (12 May) |
The Piano Secretary is: Geoffrey Molyneux: |
12 Christchurch Road, Sidcup, DA15 7HE Tel: 07546 348903 and 020 8300 7255 Email: piano@blackheathmusicfestival.co.uk |
PIANO SOLO CLASSES
Class 100: 5 years & under
Entry £9.50. Time limit 2 mins
Own choice of one or two pieces. Examination music in the currently valid examination syllabuses (excepting Initial or Preparatory) will not be accepted in this class. The class is designed for novice players who will be having their first experience of playing a solo in public. Any children wishing to play examination-level music (from Grade 1 upwards) must be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes 118 - 125) or class 102. The chosen piece(s) played in this class 100 do not need to be declared at the time of entry.
Class 101: 6 years only
Entry £9.50. Time limit 2 mins
Own choice of one or two pieces. Examination music in the currently valid examination syllabuses (excepting Initial or Preparatory) will not be accepted in this class. Any children wishing to play current Grade 1 (or higher) examination music must be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes classes 118 - 125) or class 102. The chosen piece(s) played in this class 101 do not need to be declared at the time of entry.
Class 102: 7 years & under
Entry £9.50. Time limit 3 mins
Own choice of one or two pieces. We strongly encourage current examination music to be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes classes 118 - 125). The chosen piece(s) played in this class 102 do not need to be declared at the time of entry.
Class 103: 8 years only
Entry £9.50. Time limit 3 mins
Own choice of one or two pieces. We strongly encourage current examination music to be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes classes 118 - 125). The chosen piece(s) played in this class 103 do not need to be declared at the time of entry.
Class 104: 9 years only
Entry £9.50. Time limit 3 mins
Own choice of one or two pieces. We strongly encourage current examination music to be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes classes 118 - 125). This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 105: 10 & 11 years only
Entry £10.50. Time limit 4 mins
Own choice of one piece. We strongly encourage current examination music to be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes classes 118 - 125). This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 106: 12 & 13 years
Entry £10.50. Time limit 4 mins
Own choice of one piece. We strongly encourage current examination music to be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes classes 118 - 125). This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 107: 14 & 15 years
Entry £10.50. Time limit 6 mins
Own choice of one piece. We strongly encourage current examination music to be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes classes 118 - 125). This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 108: 16 & 17 years
Entry £11.00. Time limit 8 mins
Own choice of one piece. We strongly encourage current examination music to be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes classes 118 - 125). This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 109: 18 to 29 years
Entry £11.00. Time limit 8 mins
Own choice of one piece. This class is open to all pianists including those in full-time music study. This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 110: 30 years & over.
Entry £11.00. Time limit 8 mins
Any work, or movement of a work written at any time. This piece must be declared at the time of entry
OWN COMPOSITION CLASSES
Class 111: 11 years & under - Own composition.
Entry £10.50. Time limit 3 mins
- The composition can be for any group from 1 - 4 players, singers or a mixture of both, and can be a free or fixed-form composition. The composer must be one of the performers
- The composition must be written down and a copy provided for the adjudicator.
- A paper copy of the composition must be submitted to the Piano Secretary by Friday 26 April 2024 so that it can be sent to the adjudicator for pre-festival assessment
- All performers must perform ‘live’ on the day - no pre-recorded parts
- Only the composition (not the performance) will be adjudicated
Class 112: 12 years & over - Own composition.
Entry £10.50. Time limit 3 mins
- The composition can be for any group from 1 - 4 players, singers or a mixture of both, and can be a free or fixed-form composition. The composer must be one of the performers
- The composition must be written down and a copy provided for the adjudicator.
- A paper copy of the composition must be submitted to the Piano Secretary by Friday 26 April 2024 so that it can be sent to the adjudicator for pre-festival assessment
- All performers must perform ‘live’ on the day - no pre-recorded parts
- Only the composition (not the performance) will be adjudicated
RECITAL CLASSES
Performers are to play two or three contrasting pieces. This contrast can be achieved either through music from different periods, or through different moods and speeds within, say, a sonata by one composer. The time limit must be adhered to. The chosen pieces must not include any work played by the performer in any other class at the 2024 Blackheath Music Festival. We strongly encourage current examination music to be entered in the appropriate examination music classes (classes 118 - 125).
Class 113: 11 years & under
Entry £12.00. Time limit 7 mins. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 114: 12 & 13 years
Entry £12.00. Time limit 8 mins. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 115: 14 & 15 years
Entry £12.50. Time limit 10 mins. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 116: 16 & 17 years
Entry £13.00. Time limit 10 mins. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 117: 16 years & over
Entry £14.00. Time limit 15 mins. This class is open to all pianists including those in full-time music study. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
CURRENT EXAMINATION (only) PIECES – TRINITY, ABRSM, LONDON COLLEGE OF MUSIC
The performer must not have passed any grade higher than the one from which the choice is made. The music is to be chosen from any of the above currently valid syllabuses including last year's syllabuses that are still valid for examination purposes in 2024.
Class 118: Grade 1 examination pieces, any age
Entry £10.00
Any one or two pieces. Repeats can be played, but are not obligatory. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 119: Grade 2 examination pieces, any age
Entry £10.00
Any one or two pieces. Repeats can be played, but are not obligatory. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 120: Grade 3 examination pieces, any age
Entry £10.00
Any one or two pieces. Repeats can be played, but are not obligatory. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 121: Grade 4 examination pieces, any age
Entry £10.00
Any one or two pieces. Repeats can be played, but are not obligatory. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 122: Grade 5 examination pieces, any age
Entry £10.50
Any one or two pieces. Repeats can be played, but are not obligatory. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 123: Grade 6 examination pieces, any age
Entry £10.50
Any one piece. Repeats cannot be played. This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 124: Grade 7 examination pieces, any age
Entry £10.50
Any one piece. Repeats cannot be played. This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 125: Grade 8 examination pieces, any age
Entry £11.00
Any one piece. Repeats cannot be played. This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
EXTRA GRADED LEVEL CLASSES
The piece(s) is to be declared at the time of entry.
Class 126: Grades 1 & 2 level. 11 - 17 years inclusive.
Entry £9.50. Time limit 3 mins
Performers can play one or two pieces at this level of difficulty. The piece(s) can be from either current or old examination lists, free repertoire, or a combination of both. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 127: Grades 3 & 4 level. 11 - 17 years inclusive
Entry £9.50. Time limit 4 mins
Performers can play one or two pieces at this level of difficulty. The piece(s) can be from either current or old examination lists, free repertoire, or a combination of both. These pieces must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 128: Grades 5 & 6 level. 11 - 17 years inclusive
Entry £9.50. Time limit 4 mins
Performers can play one piece at this level of difficulty. The piece can be from either current or old examination lists or free repertoire. This piece must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 129: Adults - 18 years and over. Grades 1 - 5 level
Entry £9.50. Time limit 4 mins
Performers can play one or two pieces at a level not higher than Grade 5. The piece(s) can be from either current or old examination lists, free repertoire, or a combination of both. This piece(s) must be declared at the time of entry.
DUETS, with teacher
In the following three classes only the pupil part will be adjudicated. Own choice.
Class 130: Duet, 9 years and under, with teacher.
Entry £10.00. Time limit 3 mins
This class can be an ideal first festival experience. One or two pieces. This piece(s) do not need to be declared at the time of entry. The student will be given an appropriate Award level certificate together with a verbal and written adjudication.
Class 131: Duet, 10 - 15 years, with teacher.
Entry £10.00. Time limit 5 mins. One or two pieces. This piece(s) must be declared at the time of entry. The student will be given an appropriate Award level certificate together with a verbal and written adjudication.
Class 132: Duet, 16 years & over, with teacher.
Entry £11.00. Time limit 6 mins. One or two pieces. This piece(s) must be declared at the time of entry. The student will be given an appropriate Award level certificate together with a verbal and written adjudication
DUETS or TRIOS (not to include teachers)
Class 133: Duet or Trio at one piano – any age
Entry £11.00. Time limit 6 mins
Own choice of one or two pieces. This piece(s) is to be declared at the time of entry.
FAMILY ENSEMBLES (not to include teachers)
Class 134: Family ensemble – any age
Entry £11.00. Time limit 6 mins
Two, three, four or more players from the same family, including adults. Any combination of instruments or voices (including piano duets). Own choice of one or two pieces. This piece(s) is to be declared at the time of entry.
This class will be heard by the piano adjudicator.
TWO INSTRUMENT/VOICE CLASSES
Performers should present one instrument from any two of the following categories – piano, strings (including guitar), brass, wind or singing – i.e. combinations such as singing & recorder, piano & trumpet, flute & trombone – but not two instruments within a category. Performers need to provide their own accompanist (if being used). Instruments/voices and pieces are to be declared at the time of entry. These classes will be heard by the piano adjudicator.
Class 135: 12 years & under, two instruments.
Entry £12.00. Time limit 6 mins
This class will be heard by the piano adjudicator. These pieces - and the instruments to be played - must be declared at the time of entry.
Class 136: 13 years & over, two instruments.
Entry £12.00. Time limit 8 mins
This class will be heard by the piano adjudicator. These pieces - and the instruments to be played - must be declared at the time of entry.
Chamber music (including piano and any other instruments). See String syllabus – Classes 317 & 318
Entries will be accepted online from Saturday 3 February 2024. Please enter using the green 'Click here' button (below) on or after that date.
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