Piano Department Performance Week Information
Piano Department
Performance Week Information
Fall 2022
Fall Performance Week is Monday, December 12 – Saturday, December, 17, 2022.
Sign-up week is Monday, November 14 (10:00 AM) through Monday, November 21 (11:59 PM).
View Performance Week schedule
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 Forms
Sign-up forms will open at 10 AM on November 14 and close at 11:59 PM on November 21.
- Sign up HERE for Introduction to Performing, Beginner Recital or Zoom recital.
- Sign up for Critiqued Recital, Technique Event or Adult Jury at the campus of your choice below:
- DC Campus: NW
- DC Campus: THEARC
- MD Campus: Strathmore
- MD Campus: Silver Spring
- VA Campus: Arlington (only adult jury is offered at this campus)
- VA Campus: Falls Church
Video Jury Submission Form
Submit HERE by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, December 6.
Please read the guideline for Video Submission Jury below.
In-Person Options
Introduction to Performing (public)
- Recommended for new school-age students performing for the first time or do not feeling comfortable performing yet. They will learn about performance preparation and presentation.
- Students do not perform in this session.
- Students who are not ready to perform in Beginner Recital are encouraged to observe one.
Beginner Recitals (public)
- Recommended for school-age students of levels Primer – 3.
- No evaluation. Students receive a certificate of participation.
- Repertoire Requirement: One or two pieces. Method book selections are appropriate.
- 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
Guideline for YouTube Video Submission
1. Instructions for recording a Jury video
- Please announce at the beginning of the video your name and program.
- Please record in a well-lit, quiet room free of audible and visual distractions and position the camera at the side of the piano where the performer’s whole body is in the frame. Video must clearly show the performer’s face, hands, and pedals.
- Recordings made with a professional camcorder and microphones are highly recommended. The use of iPhones or similar quality devices that reproduce good quality sound are also acceptable.
2. Instructions for uploading your video to YouTube
STEP 1: Create YouTube account (Skip this step if you have a Google account)
Go to https://www.youtube.com/ and create an account.
(Click HERE for a tutorial video “How to Create a YouTube Account”)
STEP 2: Verify your account (Skip this step if your video is shorter than 15 minutes)
Follow these instructions from the YouTube Help Center to verify your account: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/71673?
NOTE: YouTube requires a person to be at least 13 years old to have an account.
STEP 3: Upload Video to YouTube
- From computer, go to https://www.youtube.com/upload (Click HERE for a tutorial video “How to Upload Videos from Computer”)
- From phone or tablet, use the YouTube App.
(Click HERE for a tutorial video “How to Upload Videos from Phone/Tablet”)
VERY IMPORTANT – Change privacy setting from ‘PUBLIC’ to ‘UNLISTED.’ This ensures that only people with the specific video URL can watch the video.
STEP 4: Paste the YouTube link in your Jury Submission Form.
Paste in the field titled “Performance Link Submission.
Recording FAQs
Do students need to record the program in one take?
No. Students may record each piece separately, but they must record a full take of a piece (no editing).
Do students need to dress up?
Yes. Please dress up and document the best shot of your important achievement.
Are there any educational benefits in the recording process?
Absolutely! Creating a satisfactory recording of a performance is never an easy process (especially at home!). This repetitive process of recording, listening and re-recording is one of the best ways for musicians to learn and improve their performance and critical listening skills. We hope that the jury videos will be enjoyed by friends and family. In addition, many students submit a piano performance video as a part of the supplementary packages for college applications.
My video is 30 minutes. Can I still upload it to YouTube?
Yes. With a verified account, the largest file size you can upload is 12 hours.
Note: To verify your account, please follow STEP 1 of “Instructions for uploading your video to YouTube.”