Dennis Alexander Honors Recital

2023 ASMTA Special Event

Dennis Alexander Honors Recital

Dennis Alexander Biography

• Please email questions to Natalya Thran at nthran@yahoo.com
• Please read all guidelines thoroughly. Many questions can be answered by reading the guidelines.
• Fill out all information requested on the entry forms, including repertoire and teacher contact details.
• ALL QUESTIONS/INQUIRIES SHOULD COME FROM TEACHERS ONLY.

General Information

DATE:  Saturday, November 4, 2023
LOCATION:  Recital Hall, ASU Music Building, 50 E Gammage Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281
TIME:  4:00 p.m.

Chairperson:  Natalya Thran, NCTM

In conjunction with the Dennis Alexander Pedagogy Day at Arizona State University, the purpose of the ASMTA Dennis Alexander Honors Recital is to provide students with the opportunity to meet and perform the music of one of the finest American composers – Dennis Alexander.  The prescreening audition will help select as many well-prepared students as time allows.

Procedural Guidelines

Eligibility

1. The Dennis Alexander Honors Recital is open to any pre-college students who are residents of the State of Arizona.
2. Students may enter both solo and piano duet divisions.
3. All students will need to submit a video recording of their pieces for screening. Only applicants who pass the screening will be invited to participate in the Honors Recital.  The submitted video recordings for the screening round cannot be more than 3 months old and need to have been made by October 15th, 2023.

General Rules for All Division and Repertoire Requirements

Solo Piano and Piano Duet (four hands, one piano) Divisions:

1. Entrance fee -$30 per student/piano duet for students of ASMTA teachers and $50 per student/piano duet for students of non-members of ASMTA teachers.  Non-members must contact Natalya Thran for registration at nthran@yahoo.com.
2. All divisions in piano solo and piano duet (four hands, one piano), must perform two (2) contrasting works by Dennis Alexander.  Multi-movement works are acceptable as one piece.
3. All performances are to be from memory (except for the piano duet division) and must stay within the time guidelines as listed below.
4. No arrangements may be used.
5. Total Time Allowed (See Division Requirements below).

Application Procedures and Additional Regulations:

1. Register and pay on the ASMTA website by 11:59 PM on Sunday, October 15th.
2. Teacher must send one email, per student, containing the links to the two YouTube recordings to Natalya Thran (nthran@yahoo.com) by 11:59 PM on Sunday, October 15th.  These videos must be the same repertoire that is listed in the registration.  All solo piano pieces must be performed by memory (except piano duet).   Both pieces must be recorded and uploaded separately indicating on the YouTube recording the student’s name, the division, and the title of each piece.  In preparing the email:
   1. Use the following format in the subject line:  [Student Name], [Division], [Student’s City].
   2. Name each video link using the following format:  [Student Name], [Division], [Title of Piece].
   3. Indicate teacher’s name in closing of the email.
3. Please ensure the students’ heads, arms, and hands are always visible on the video.  Recordings must be unedited.
4. The panel of 2 judges will select well-prepared students to play at the Dennis Alexander Honors Recital. The decision of the judges is final.
5. The results of the screening will be emailed to teachers on October 25^th, 2023.
6. Each selected student can only play one selection at the Recital.
7. Several students will be chosen to participate in the Masterclass with Dennis Alexander on the same date. Teachers of selected students to play in the Masterclass will be notified by October 25th. Those students will perform only in the masterclass.
8. Selected students to perform for the Dennis Alexander Honors Recital will receive a Medal or Medal with Distinction and certificates. Alfred Music Co may provide additional awards in the form of music sheets signed by Dennis Alexander.
9. Questions and any type of communication at any phase of this event must be conducted between the teacher and chairperson (Natalya Thran) only.
10. All questions must be directed to Natalya Thran at nthran@yahoo.com.
11. A full list of Dennis Alexander’s music can be found on his website: https://www.dennisalexander.com/

Teacher Responsibilities

1. Teachers will be asked to volunteer during the Dennis Alexander Honors Recital on November 4th.  An Honors Recital chair will contact teachers regarding their volunteer times and duties.  If the teacher is unable to fulfill this responsibility, they should find a replacement.
2. Teachers should take time to review all the current Guidelines and go over these Guidelines with the participating students and their parents.
3. Questions and comments pertaining to any phase of this event must be conducted between the teacher and chairperson(s) only. Parents and students are not allowed to discuss any portion of this event with the event staff.
4. We recommend that teachers be present, in case any issues arise.

Competition Procedure

1. Applications may be submitted online on the ASMTA website beginning Monday, September 25th, 2023, and no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 15th, 2023.  The application should include the complete and accurate names of the two works by Dennis Alexander to be performed and the name of the collection book of Dennis Alexander (if applicable).
2. On the application, list the accurate timings of each piece to be performed.  Applicants should remain within the maximum total time specified for their division.
3. All application fees must be paid by the teacher (not the student) either online at the ASMTA website or by mailing to Natalya Thran, 1525 E Galveston St, Gilbert, AZ 85295.
4. All fees are non-refundable.
5. Results and judges’ comments from the video screening will be emailed to participants’ teachers on Wednesday, October 25th, 2023.
6. Dennis Alexander Honors Recital will be held on Saturday, November 4th, 2023, at the ASU Recital Hall at 4:00 PM (Music Building, 50 E Gammage Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281).

Division Requirements

Solo Piano

Division	Age Range	Performance Time Limit	Entrance Fee Per Person
Elementary	6-9	3 minutes	$30/$50-Non Member
Intermediate 1	10-12	4 minutes	$30/$50-Non Member
Intermediate 2	13-15	5 minutes	$30/$50-Non Member
Advanced	16-18	6 minutes	$30/$50-Non Member

Piano Duet (four hands, one piano)

Division	Age Range	Performance Time Limit	Entrance Fee Per Person
Mixed	6-18	5 minutes	$30/$50-Non Member (per duet)

Repertoire Requirements

General

1. All students must perform two pieces of contrasting style by Dennis Alexander only.
2. All pieces must be performed from memory except in the case of the Piano Duet Division.
3. Both pieces must be performed within the time limit listed above.
4. All entrants must abide by the federal Copyright Law.  Photocopies are not allowed.
5. Performers who choose to disregard the repertoire requirement guidelines will be disqualified.

Alterations and Exclusions

1. Repertoire changes:  will not be permitted.
2. Masterclass:  Students who participate in the masterclass during Pedagogy Day may not play in the Honors Recital on the same day.
3. Cuts:  Any video performances containing cuts will be disqualified.
4. Repeats:  If the endings of repeats are the same, repeats are optional. If the endings of repeats are different, repeats must be taken.

Special Repertoire

• Original Compositions:  Only original compositions by Dennis Alexander are allowed.
• Concerti:  Pianists and ensembles may not perform concerti due to one piano on the stage
• Variations:  The entire set of variations will be performed (no cuts)
• Sonatas/Sonatinas:  multi-movement will be considered one piece.
• Collections i.e. character pieces, works with many different pieces put together as one:  Selections from one collection may be grouped at will.  The total time of this grouping may not exceed the performance time of the other work submitted.

Dress Code

Girls:

1. Dresses or skirts of adequate length (at least to the knee when seated).  Dress pants are allowed, but no jeans, tight pants, or athletic clothing.
2. Apparel must be modest but formal.

Boys:

1. Dress shirt and slacks.
2. Ties, vests, bow ties, and/or suits are encouraged but not required.

 Both: 

1. Dress shoes only; no athletic shoes, platform shoes, or flip-flops.
2. Hair must be neat and out of the performer’s face.

Etiquette

1. Inappropriate behavior, at the discretion of the chairperson and ASMTA President, will result in the immediate disqualification of the student and forfeiture of any awards or certificates.
2. Inappropriate behavior such as disruptive or confrontational outbursts by parents or teachers or disregarding of the guidelines stated herein will result in the immediate disqualification of the student and forfeiture of any awards or certificates.

General Rules

1. The decisions made by the jury of the Competition are final and are not subject to query, review or appeal.
2. Teachers, students and parents must not engage in conversation with or identify themselves to judges at any time.  Doing so will result in disqualification.
3. Any competitor may be disqualified for failure to comply with the rules and procedures pertaining to the Competition.

For More Information

For further questions regarding repertoire and competition procedure, email Natalya Thran at nthran@yahoo.com

Online Registration Coming September 25th