Piano Department
Performance Week Information
Fall 2024
Piano jury sign-up week is November 4 (10:00 AM) through November 11 (11:59 PM).
Video Submission Jury deadline is December 10 at 11:59 PM (no need to sign up in advance).
Performace Week Schedule
The Piano Department’s Performance Week Schedule is available HERE.
If you have any questions, please contact the piano chair at your campus:
Sayaka Jordan, Piano Department Chair (MD and Virtual Campuses), sjordan@levinemusic.org
Deborah Lloyd (DC Campus: NW), dlloyd@levinemusic.org
Topher Ruggiero (VA Campuses), truggiero@levinemusic.org
Paul Bratcher (DC Campus: THEARC), pbratcher@levinemusic.org
Sign-Up Form for Beginner Recital and Zoom Recital
Sign up link will open on November 4 at 10 AM and close on November 11 at 11:59 PM.
Sign-Up Form for Critiqued Recital, Technique Event, or Adult Jury
Sign-up links will be opened on November 4 at 10 AM.
Sign-up at the campus of your choice by Monday, November 11, 11:59 PM.
- DC Campus: NW
- DC Campus: THEARC
- MD Campus: Silver Spring
- MD Campus: Strathmore
- VA Campus: Arlington
- VA Campus: Falls Church
Video Jury Submission Form
Sign up link will open on November 4 at 10 AM and close on December 10 at 11:59 PM.
Please read the guideline for Video Submission Jury below.
In-Person Options
Beginner Recital & Introduction to Performing (public)
- Recommended for school-age students of levels Primer – 2 performing for the first time or do not feel comfortable performing yet. They will learn about performance preparation and presentation.
- No evaluation. Students receive a certificate of participation.
- Repertoire Requirement: One or two pieces. Method book selections are appropriate. Student who are not ready to perform are invited to come up to the stage for a bow.
- Dress code: Performance attire
Critiqued Recitals (public)
- Recommended for school-age students of level 2 and above.
- Students receive written comments from two faculty judges (no grades).
- Students are encouraged to sign up for Critiqued Recital and Technique Event as a combo—the two events are scheduled back-to-back with a 10-15 minute break.
- Repertoire Requirement: One or two solo pieces from contrasting periods within 8 minutes (consideration required for advanced students).
- Memorization: Preferred.
- Dress code: Performance attire
- Students who miss the sign-up will be encouraged to participate via YouTube Video Submission.
Technique Events (private)
- Recommended for school-age students of level 2 and above.
- One faculty judge runs the event with up to 10 students in the room and provides written comments (no grades).
- Repertoire Requirement: Complete Keyboard Skills in one key AND an etude.
- Memorization: Required for Keyboard Skills. Preferred for etudes.
- Dress code: Performance attire
Adult Juries (private)
- For adult students of all levels.
- Students receive written comments from two faculty judges (no grades).
- Repertoire Requirement: Flexible program, may include 1-3 solo, concerto, chamber works. Keyboard Skills and/or an etude optional. Memorization is not required.
- Each slot is 20-minutes.
- Students are requested to bring one copy of each work for the judges, measure numbers included.
Level 10 Certificate Jury (private)
Level 10 Certificate Jury plans must be confirmed directly with Sayaka Jordan, Chair of Piano.
Virtual Options
Zoom Recitals
- Recommended for school-age students of all levels.
- No evaluation.
- Repertoire Requirement: One or two pieces. Method book selections are appropriate.
- Dress code: Performance attire
Video Submission Jury
- For adult and school-age students of all levels.
- Video evaluation submitted via YouTube upload.
- Students receive written comments (no grades) from two faculty judges.
- Follow the Guidelines for Youtube Video Submission.
- Repertoire Requirement: Technique (Keyboard Skills in one key or an etude) and/or repertoire pieces (1 or 2 pieces).
- Memorization: Not required.
- Dress code: Performance attire
Faculty Judges’ Expectations
- Respectful performance attire and confident manner
- Good posture and comfortable position at the piano
- A thoughtful performance (take time before you start)
- A well-prepared, polished program
- Playing that is expressive and tells a story
- Playing that is stylistically appropriate
- Respect for details in the music: tempo, dynamics, articulation, and structure
- A steady beat and correct rhythm
- A clear melody over a supportive accompaniment
- Clean pedaling (if used)
- Continuous playing, even if errors occur, in the prepared program and sight reading