Phone: (202) 686-8000

Get Started

Piano Department Performance Week Information

Piano Department
Performance Week Information
Fall 2023

Piano jury sign-up week is November 6 (10:00 AM) through November 13 (11:59 PM). 
The sign-up form links will be available on this page.

Video Submission Jury deadline is December 5 at 11:59 PM (no need to sign up in advance)

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 Form for Beginner Recital and Zoom Recital

Sign up HERE by November 13, 11:59 PM.

Sign-Up Form for Critiqued Recital, Technique Event, or Adult Jury

Sign up at the campus of your choice by November 13, 11:59 PM. 

Video Jury Submission Form

Submit HERE by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, December 5.
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
      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

      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.”