Student Event Overview
Members with dues paid by October 31st of the current school year are eligible to enter students in the following NSMTA sponsored events.
Achievement in Music Exams
Achievement in Music (AIM) is a statewide exam recently revised (by our own teachers who use it) to be practical and student-friendly. AIM offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes theory and technique as well as piano performance. The AIM Syllabus provides teachers with a sequential outline of piano study helpful in preparing students for yearly assessments. Students benefit by having specific goals to achieve at every level, while teachers and students are given an independent evaluation of student progress.
Sonata-Sonatina Festival
The annual NSMTA Sonata-Sonatina Festival (SSF) has over 250 students who partake in this special performance opportunity. Students perform for a panel of highly qualified adjudicators and receive a score and constructive written feedback on each performance. All participants receive a blue ribbon, and those earning a score between 90 and 100 are awarded a gold, silver, or bronze medal. Gold medalists are invited to perform in the Gold Medal Winners Recital, held the weekend following the festival.
Piano Competition
The annual NSMTA Piano Competition is designed for ambitious piano students who are eager to study advanced repertoire and compete with other highly motivated peers. Each year, the repertoire committee selects a challenging program that pushes students both technically and musically. Winners in each division are invited to perform in the NSMTA Winners Recital, held the weekend following the competition.
Scholarships
NSMTA offers two types of scholarships:
The Merle Hanson College Scholarship is for graduating high school seniors enrolling in a university, college or conservatory in a program that will prepare them for careers in music or a music-related field (performance, music education, theory-composition, musicology, music-business, music therapy, etc.)
The Betty Benton Scholarship and Bruce Berr Scholarship are for students applying for a summer music program.