2026 SANDY UMTA PIANO FESTIVAL
SPONSORED BY THE SANDY CHAPTER UMTA
WITH THE PURPOSE OF FOSTERING EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE &
ENCOURAGING A LIFE-LONG LOVE FOR MUSIC
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For over 35 years, the Sandy UMTA has sponsored a piano festival and competition to benefit the education and pursuit of excellence of its teachers and students. This festival continues to foster excellence and a love for music in all its students and teachers.
Students may choose to perform in as many categories as they would like. Students must play different music in each category they enter. Each competition will be held in recital format (about an hour in length) and each participant will receive written comments from qualified judges. A 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize, along with cash awards, will be awarded at the end of each recital competition.
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ELIGIBILITY: Any student who currently studies with an active, dues-paid member of the UMTA Sandy Chapter is eligible to participate in this festival. If a student is taught by 2 teachers, both teachers must be currently paid members of Sandy UMTA. To enter students in 2026, teachers must 1) attend at least 3 monthly meetings during the previous year OR 2) volunteer a minimum of 12 hours to the Sandy Chapter during the previous Chapter year. Participating teachers must volunteer to assist in some capacity for a few hours on one of the days of competition. This is non-negotiable.
TEACHERS: We invite all teachers of the Sandy UMTA to enter students into the festival. There is a division designed for every student. We are excited this year to announce a new Concerto movement competition for 2026.
REPERTOIRE: Chosen pieces must be selected from the Standard Classical Literature (see MTNA.org/Performance Guidelines/Composer Classification). Pedagogical pieces such as Vandall, Gillock, Mier, and method books etc., are allowed only in the Young Artists Elementary and Junior divisions. Transcriptions, arrangements, pop, Schmidt, Broadway, etc. are not accepted. Any concerto movement is acceptable in the concerto competitions.
STUDENT DIVISIONS: Age as of September 1, 2025. Elementary (ages 12 and under), Junior (13 – 15 yrs), Senior (16 – 18yrs).
COMPETITION FORMAT: Each competition will be conducted in recital format of about 50 – 70 minutes. Students are grouped by age and level, with between 8 - 10 students per recital. Some divisions may have more than one recital, or a recital may have more than 10 students at the discretion of the chairman and number of entrants. All participants should plan to attend the duration of the recital. Judges will adjudicate the quality of the performance, including style, musicality, memorization, dynamics, as well as the difficulty. At the end of the recital, the judges will decide the winners and notify the recital host, who will announce the winners and present the awards. Judges' decisions are final. Teachers may attend but are expected to display an example of grace and professionalism. Parents, teachers and students should not approach or speak to the judges before or after the competition and respect the judges' decisions. No photography or video recording will be permitted during the competition recitals.
REGISTRATION: Specific judging times or dates cannot be requested. All fees are non-refundable. Teachers must submit each student’s registration postmarked no later than October 6th, 2026 mailed to Cassandra Broadhead- 9840 S. Countrywood Drive, Sandy, Utah 84092 or submitted at the meeting on Oct. 6th. Payment may be made directly to the chapter with one check or online (contact the treasurer). Please direct any questions to Cassie at 801.918.5431.
We invite all teachers in the Sandy Chapter UMTA to enter their students into the festival. There is a division and category for each student.
We look forward to welcoming all students to the festival.
YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITIONS
~ ONE PIECE MEMORIZED ~
3 Divisions & Time limits ~ Elementary 4 minutes ~ Junior 5 minutes ~ Senior 6 minutes
3 Division categories:
~ Pedagogical & non-classical (Elementary and Junior division only, no Senior division) ~ Baroque & Classical
~ Romantic & 20th century
A student may enter more than 1 category with a different musical selection for each category.
Students will be judged on the quality, musicality, style and memorization of the performance, not the difficulty only.
Entry Fee: $30 per student, per each category entered.
Dates: November 13, 14, 2026 at Riverton Music, 9550 South East Frontage Road, Sandy, Utah.
DISTINGUISHED ARTISTS COMPETITION
~ TWO PIECES MEMORIZED ~
Students will select two pieces from contrasting periods of the standard classical literature.
One piece must be from the Baroque or Classical period. No pedagogical pieces, jazz, movie, Broadway, transcriptions, pop, etc.
3 Divisions & Time Limits: ~ Elementary 6 min ~ Junior 8 min. ~ Senior 10 min.
Students will be judged on the quality, musicality, style and memorization of the performance, not the difficulty only.
Entry Fee: $40.00 per student
Dates: November 20-21, at Riverton Music, 9550 South East Frontage Road, Sandy, Utah
NEW: CONCERTO COMPETITIONS
-ONE MOVEMENT MEMORIZED-
Students will select one movement from a standard Concerto, including cadenza if applicable.
3 Divisions & Time Limits: -Elementary 9 min- Junior 10 min. Senior 12 min.
The judges may stop the student at any time and ask to hear the cadenza or any other part of the concerto movement. Students will be judged on the quality, musicality, style and memorization of the performance, not the difficulty only.
Entry Fee: $35.00
Dates: November 20-21, 2026 at Riverton Music, 9550 South East Frontage Road, Sandy, Utah.