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IMPORTANT DATES
DATE & TIME:
November 14, 2026 (Saturday)
VENUE:
William J. Huff Recital Hall & André Watts Hall
Claremont Community School of Music
951 West Foothill Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711
APPLICATION PERIOD:
September 15 (Monday) - October 2 (Friday), 2026
NEW REPERTOIRE LEVEL EVALUATION SUBMISSION PERIOD (if applicable) :
September 7 (Monday) - September 15 (Tuesday), 2026
NEW REPERTOIRE LEVEL EVALUATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE (if applicable) :
September 15 (Tuesday), 2026
FEES DUE:
October 2, 2026 (Friday) *
* Not postmarked
ABOUT
The 20th/21st Centuries Music Festival provides piano students with an opportunity to perform works from the 20th and 21st centuries and to develop an appreciation for contemporary piano repertoire.
ELIGIBILITY
The Festival is open to piano students of current MTAC Pomona Valley Branch members. Participating students must have studied with their teacher for at least six months prior to the Festival.
APPLICATION
Applications will be submitted online by the teachers of each participant. Please submit ONE application per participant. Upon submission of the application, a copy of the application will automatically be sent to the email address that was inputted at the very beginning of the form. This will serve as confirmation of application submission.
The application form can be accessed by clicking the button immediately below or at the bottom of the page:
In order to fill out the application, you will need to prepare the following information:
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Applicant's Name
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Division (Based on CM Level)
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Date of Birth (MM/DD/YY)
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Parent/Student Email
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Repertoire Title. Opus No., Key, Mvmt (if applicable)
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Composer
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Name of Collection or work (if applicable)
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Duration
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Teacher Name
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Teacher's Email
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Teacher's Phone Number
APPLICATION FEE
$70 (non-refundable after application deadline)
Note: Teachers will be required to send ONE check for all applicants in each respective studios. Please be informed that deadline is not postmarked. Therefore, be sure to allow ample time for snail mail to be delivered on time.
Please send ONE check (payable to MTAC Pomona Valley Branch) to:
Shin J Chih
24318 Sunnycrest Ct.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
RULES
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Time limits will be strictly observed. Students exceeding the time limit will be stopped without penalty.
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An original solo score, with measures numbered, must be provided to the judges.
If the music was purchased or obtained as an authorized digital download, a printed copy may be used in place of the original score and must include proof of authorization, source, purchase, or receipt, in accordance with MTAC Copyright Policy and CM guidelines.
Photocopies of physical scores are not allowed.
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All music must be memorized.
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Previous 1st place winner must enter a higher division.
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Pedal Extenders: Parents/guardians are responsible for bringing, setting up, testing, and removing any pedal extender needed for their child's performance. The pedal extender must be installed prior to the student's performance and removed immediately afterward. Festival staff and presiders are not responsible for the setup, adjustment, removal, or storage of pedal extenders.
REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENT
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20th & 21st Centuries as well any 20th & 21st Centuries composer not listed in the CM Syllabus.
Repertoire can be chosen from the following:
- CM Syllabus (2012 & 2025 edition)
- Works approved and leveled from prior festival years
Download: 20th & 21st Centuries Music Festival - Previously Approved List
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Repertoire that is NOT listed in the CM Syllabus or the Previously Approved Works List must be evaluated by the Festival Committee for proper level placement.
New Repertoire Approval Deadline:
Email (or print and send) complete score as well as your proposed level placement for the new repertoire and send to:
Shin-Jeng Chih (totallymusic63@yahoo.com) by September 15, 2026 (Tuesday)
*** New repertoire approval and level decision will be informed by September 22, 2026.
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Divisions are based on CM levels.
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Students may perform up to TWO pieces by the same composer and within the same suite or opus in the same level.
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No simplified versions, arrangements of original compositions are permitted.
However, transcriptions may be accepted upon approval. Please submit to the committee for approval by the New Repertoire Approval Deadline as mentioned above.
DRESS CODE
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Appropriate recital attire and shoes are required.
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No casual clothes such as jeans, athletic shoes or flip-flops are allowed.
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No skirts shorter than 2" above the knee are allowed.
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No bare midriffs are allowed.
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Students wearing improper attire will be permitted to perform but will not be eligible to be selected as winners.
AWARDS
Winners results, judges comment sheets as well any awards will be sent to teachers.
Trophies will be awarded for First, Second, Third, Fourth place as well as Honorable Mention.
TEACHER RESPONSIBILITY
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All participating teachers are obligated to serve at the Festival.
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Each teacher is responsible for his/her students' accurate placement by level and repertoire.
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Submit ONE application per participant.
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Any misspelling, errors, or corrections on the application will be charged a fee of $10 per mistake (not per application).
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Teachers must reinforce dress code to their students.
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Teachers are responsible for communicating the pedal extender policy to parents/guardians prior to the Festival.
DIVISION & TIME LIMITS
