Spring Piano Festival

CHAIRPERSONS: Shuling Juan & Michelle DePasquale (njspringfestival@gmail.com)


A non-competitive event, Spring Piano Festival takes place in March every year, to provide musical growth through evaluation and encouragement. The teacher and parents are invited to attend the private session. This event is open for solo and piano duet category.

Each student will have approximately 15 minutes with an adjudicator to perform the prepared repertoire and receive verbal feedback. Written comments will also be provided on the evaluation form.

Please read the following before registering.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, January 23, 2026, 11:59 PM

EVENT DATES: Sundays, March 8 & March 15, 2026

LOCATION: Rutgers Univ. Mason Gross School of the Arts

AWARDS: Written comments will be given.
Students receiving an Excellent rating will be awarded a certificate and the Gold Seal. A Very Good will be awarded a certificate with the Silver Seal. Students receiving an Excellent or Very Good rating for three years will be awarded a medal, trophy for five and seven years and plaque for 10 years and beyond. 

HOW TO ENTER: Teachers are to complete the online registration form for this event. Teachers should supply all requested information and collect fees from the students. One payment for all combined student fees should be paid by the teacher. At this time only online payment is accepted.

REGISTRATION FEE:

  • $65 per student for solo.

  • Duets: $80 ($40 per student)

  • Fees are non-refundable.

TEACHER DUTY DEPOSIT FEE:

  • Up to 10 entries $70

  • 11–20 entries $95

  • 20+ entries $120

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY: Students of all levels and ages whose teachers are NJMTA members in good standing are eligible.

TEACHER ELIGIBILITY: Teachers must be members in good standing of NJMTA. New members must have paid their dues by January 1, 2026. Please read the General Information page for Participating Teachers Requirements.

REPERTOIRE-SOLO: Students must perform from memory two contrasting compositions.

  • Pieces may be by the same composer as long as they are of contrasting styles.

  • Pieces must be a minimum of 16 measures in length.

  • All pieces should be played in their entirety, but without repeats unless the repeats affect the integrity of the piece.

  • For Intermediate and Advanced students: Because each session has limited time, it is best to select shorter pieces so the adjudicator can provide more detailed feedback. Please note that the adjudicator may stop a performance at any point in order to offer comments.

REPERTOIRE-DUET: For one piano only.

  • Duet students should perform one piece only.

  • Published arrangements are acceptable.

  • Memorization for piano duets is optional, but one extra original music score must be prepared for the judge if the students do not memorize the piece.