Illinois Music Association Competition 2024

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: All Zara-V Studio students from level 1 and up enrolled in the Spring 2024 semester (at least 18 weeks of regular schedule). The participation of students who dropped out or took less than 18 weeks of lessons will be canceled. 

ENTRY FEE: $37 per event. Piano students: if you would like to pick a specific day – Saturday or Sunday, the fee is $38. Fee for duets is $40 per ensemble ($20 per student). Please submit the registration form with your payment to Zara - V Studio. The payment can be made by cash, check written out to Zara-V Studio, Zelle (info@zaruivardanean.com) or credit card. For credit card payments, please add a $5 processing charge.

PIANO STUDENTS: Students attending piano classes should have a full keyboard with 88 weighted keys for practice at home to be competitive in this event.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS: Piano has required repertoire lists for each level. Voice requirement is left to the teachers to decide. The teacher will suggest the level and specific song most suitable for the students, allowing for the best performance quality.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: Ideally, the students will perform without any mistakes, at the required speed (tempo), with great expressiveness and dynamics. One little mistake often takes the students to the bottom of the competing class.

VOICE CATEGORIES: There are three categories in the vocal competition: pop, Broadway, and classical. A student can enter one or all of the categories and duets. The fee for each solo category is $37, and for duets, it is $20 per student. Pre-recorded accompaniment can be used in all events.

ORIGINAL MUSIC AND MEASURE NUMBERS: Students need to own original sheet music. It must be a clean copy with only measure numbers written in. The music will be submitted to the judge at the competition. Not having original music would disqualify a student from competing, and they would be able to perform for comments only. Points will be deducted from students who don’t have the measures numbered.

Due to the large number of competitors, competition rules do not allow refunds or changing performance times. We will know the exact performance times about two weeks before the event and post the list on the studio website or info board. DRESS CODE: Semi-formal    Competitors compete with students of similar age and proficiency. The competitors are assigned one-hour slots to perform with up to a dozen other students. After the students in a designated time slot are done performing, the prizes are awarded, and families are welcome to leave unless you are competing in another event.

WINNERS RECITAL: The IMA is planning to hold a Winners' Recital. All First Place winners for all instruments, including vocal, are invited to perform! The IMA is considering renting the Beacon Hill Retirement Community in Lombard to hold this event. The recital date is tentatively scheduled for June 22 nd, 2024, two weeks after the contest and will be free to participate or attend.

WHAT TO DO IF INTERESTED

   Consult with the teacher to determine if you should enter this competition and what would be the appropriate song for the student. We strongly encourage you to take your teacher’s repertoire suggestion since the teacher experience will help you choose the most appropriate song for the student’s age and proficiency level. Bring the completed registration form and the participation fee by March 1, 2024. Make sure to clear your schedule on the competition day: June 8 or June 9, 2024. Unfortunately, due to the over 1200 students competing the IMA Committee is not able to change performance times for any reason.