The Musicianship Requirement applies to the Baroque-Classical and Romantic-Contemporary Festivals.

  1. Levels are chosen at the discretion of the teacher.
  2. Choose one level from Scales and one level from Cadences.
  3. Scale and cadence levels are independent of one another–i.e. a student may choose any level for scales and any level for cadences without penalty. It is NOT required, for example, to play a level 1 scale with level A cadence, a level 2 scale with level B cadence, etc.
  4. Entrants must play a scale and cadence in the key of each piece entered.
  5. If the pieces are in the same key, a second scale and cadence in a closely related key (dominant or parallel) must be played.
  6. If the Contemporary piece is atonal, modal or polytonal, a scale and cadence in a different key from the Romantic piece must be played.
  7. Entrants may choose when to play the scale and cadence, but are encouraged to play it prior to their pieces.
  8. The judge is to drop the final performance rating one degree (S to S-, S- to E+, etc.) if the requirement is performed unacceptably. Unacceptable can mean wrong notes, poor fingering, lack of pulse, or only one scale played.
  9. If an entrant chooses to omit the requirement, the final performance rating may not exceed E+.
  10. Levels are indicated on the critique sheet as chosen during online registration. (Example: 1-A, 2-B, 3-D, etc.)

SCALE

Level Play Hands
1 5 finger hand position Alone or together
2 Tetrachord scales Two hands
3 Scale – no. of octaves at teacher’s discretion Alone
4 Scale – no. of octaves at teacher’s discretion Together
5 Scale –contrary motion Together
6 Double note scale – choose 3rds, 6ths, or 10th – no. of octaves at teacher’s discretion Together

CADENCE

Level Play How? Hands
A Tonic chord Broken or solid chords Alone
B I – V – I All root position chords Alone
C I – IV – I – V – I All root position chords Alone or together
D I – V (7) – I From root position; root only or solid chords in the bass Together
E I – IV – I – V (and/or V (7) – I From root position; root only or solid chords in the bass Together
F I – IV – I – V (and/or V (7) – I All inversion, root only or solid chords in the bass Together