Maybe. If your work is in the public domain in the United States and the edition is also in the public domain, OR if your piece is not in the U.S. public domain and you have a legal download (that you purchased), you may use a downloaded score as long as you meet all three of the following provisions:
- You provide a copy (i.e. printout) of the source page as a cover page. Be sure to remove any personal information, including your name.
- The scores are printed back-to-back (i.e. double-sided) AND bound.
- It must be considered Public Domain in the U.S. regardless of your citizenship.
Not sure if your piece is in the U.S. Public Domain? Check online.
Remember, the edition you are using must have been published before 1928 regardless of the original publication of the work. For instance, Bärenreiter editions are not considered PD even though they might be of a Mozart work.
Competitors who provide illegal copies of scores for either judges or accompanists will not be allowed to compete.
You must notify us of any repertoire changes. To change your repertoire, you must resubmit your complete repertoire list in the same format and fashion as you did in your application. It must be program ready and include the composer’s full name, dates, opus and/or catalog numbers, names of individual movements, and timings for each piece and each movement. Documents will only be accepted in .doc or .docx formats. Name the file as follows: firstname_lastname_REVISED_repertoire. Email the file to artdir@youngtexasartists.org.
For those using a YTA staff collaborative pianist, repertoire changes after February 10, 2024 will result in a $50.00 repertoire change surcharge.
You should have the entire concerto or major work prepared. Since the preliminary round is less than 15 minutes, the judges will ask to hear specific excerpts of your prepared pieces. Please be advised that should you be selected for the final round, the judges may request an edited version with a duration of 12 minutes or less as the final round is a concert!
Every judging panel is different. Some panels let contestants begin with their choice while others prefer to hear a specific order. You should be prepared to start with any piece, any movement.
Crighton Theater has one room with a piano which you may use for warming up approximately 10 to 15 minutes before your audition time. Off-site practice sessions will be arranged at nearby homes and churches. Instructions for scheduling an off-site practice venue will be included in email correspondence as the competition nears. You will need to schedule your time block no later than one week before you compete. You must do this yourself, do not ask your YTA-assigned collaborative pianist to do this for you. There is no off-site practice availability following the concluding preliminary round. Piano candidates will be given an optional 10 minutes on the stage piano before their audition.
You have a couple of accommodation options available while you’re in Conroe.
- Homestays: many loyal fans of the Young Texas Artists Music Competition welcome candidates and traveling accompanists into their homes. They will provide you with a place to stay and breakfast, but you are responsible for your other meals and transportation. You must request these accommodations at the time of application, as space is limited and we cannot guarantee availability. Every effort will be made to place pianists in homes with pianos.
- Hotel Booking: Special YTA rates are offered by the Baymont Inn or Comfort Inn in Conroe. Rooms will be available on a first-come first-serve basis so do not wait to book!
- Baymont – 1506 Interstate 45 S, Conroe, Texas 77304 | 936-539-5100
- To book, either use this booking link.
- Or call the hotel directly and ask for Rate Plan Code LBCE
- Baymont – 1506 Interstate 45 S, Conroe, Texas 77304 | 936-539-5100
You are expected to check in at the Crighton Theater no later than 1 hour before your audition time. If you are scheduled for an off-site practice session, you may wish to check in and pick up your packet before then. Your packet will contain additional information pertinent to the competition.
Grand Prize winners may not compete again, but all other competitors and finalists may continue to compete as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
Yes! The preliminary rounds are free and open to the public.
Each candidate is entitled to four complimentary tickets to the Finalists’ Concert & Awards. These will be reserved at the Box Office under your name. Additional tickets can be purchased HERE. Regular tickets are $30. Student tickets are $16.
Any remaining questions should be emailed to Artistic Director, Dr. Emelyne Bingham, at artdir@youngtexasartists.org for clarification before you begin your application.
Please Note
Young Texas Artists reserves the right to disqualify contestants who do not exhibit the standards of accountability, responsibility, and behavior as dictated by professional decorum.