Entering the Competition

Preliminary Round videos due April 15

$25 entry fee per person

Click here for the Online Entry Form

Eligibility

All Divisions

  • Chamber groups may be comprised of 3 to 8 musicians.
  • Groups can include any instrumentation as long as the majority are string instruments (piano and harp are considered string instruments for the purposes of this Competition).
  • No musician can compete in more than one group.

High School Division – $2,000 Grand Prize

  • Any current resident of the state of Georgia is eligible
  • The majority of the group’s musicians must currently be in 9-12th grade
  • If a group is split evenly between middle and high school students, the group shall enter the High School Division.

Middle School Division – $1,000 Grand Prize

  • Any current resident of the state of Georgia is eligible
  • The majority of the group’s musicians must currently be in 6-8th grade
  • If a group is split evenly between middle and high school students, the group shall enter the High School Division.

School Division – $1,000 Prize

  • Group must be comprised of players who all attend the same school (an accredited Georgia public or private school)
  • Prize money will be split between the performers and the school booster association/orchestra director

 Preparing for the Competition

  • Begin the process as early in the school year as possible. September or October is ideal.
  • Communicate with your ensemble and make sure everyone is committed to doing the work involved in preparing for competition.
  • Pick repertoire that is challenging yet attainable. Be sure it falls within the Competition repertoire guidelines listed below.  Do not choose a piece based on it's length--a longer piece will not necessarily bring a better chance of winning
  • Pick a name for your ensemble. This name will be used in all print and digital material posted by Franklin Pond.  Do not name it after a school or community organization (for example: Coffeetown High School Quartet or Coffeetown Youth Orchestra Horn Trio)
  • Set up regular 2-3 hour rehearsal times and places. The more regular the rehearsal schedule, the more your ensemble will end up rehearsing and the better you will get.
  • Schedule coachings with teachers as often as possible.  This is a competitive environment, and all ensembles should have coachings at least once a month to fine tune their piece.
  • Take a group photo. If your ensemble advances to the Final Round this photo may be used for advertising purposes.
  • Make several practice recordings well before the April 15 deadline. You will need practice setting up the video device properly so that the picture and the sound are as clear as possible. The quality of your recording will matter, so don’t leave it to the last minute!

Repertoire Requirements

  • One movement of a single piece, not to exceed a total of 15 minutes in length.  A longer piece will not affect the judges' decisions.  Two movements will only be accepted if they are attacca and remain under the 15 minute limit.  If your piece has multiple movements that are very short but not attacca, please email competition@franklinpond.org to discuss the possibility of a special allowance, but keep in mind that no performance over 15 minutes will be allowed in any case.
  • Arrangements of music may be allowed in the Middle School division, but only with specific permission from Franklin Pond.  Email competition@franklinpond.org for permission.  There are no arrangements permitted in the High School division.
  • Original compositions are allowed.  Please be sure to have a score to upload to the entry form.  Pieces without scores will not be permitted.
  • Scores must be provided to Franklin Pond and can be uploaded via the entry form. Please send a score of only those movements your ensemble is performing.
  • Email competition@franklinpond.org if your group has any questions about the repertoire requirements.

Recording Guidelines

  • The introduction of the video must include (either by speaking to the camera or adding text to the screen):
    • The name of your ensemble.  Do not name it after a school or community organization (for example: Coffeetown High School Quartet or Coffeetown Youth Orchestra Horn Trio)
    • Name, movement, and composer of the piece being performed.
  • One complete take. No editing or cuts.
  • The full ensemble must be shown at all times at an angle that clearly and fully demonstrates the position of the instruments.
  • Record in the highest video and audio quality available to you.
  • Upload your recording to YouTube and marked as “Unlisted” (not public or private). “Unlisted” means that only people who know the link to the video can view it. An unlisted video will not appear in any of YouTube’s public spaces.
  • Paste the YouTube link into the entry form.

Entering the Competition

  • Check your ensemble’s eligibility.
  • Record your Preliminary Round video (carefully review the recording guidelines listed below).
  • Check that you have all the information needed for the entry form:
    • Name, address, email, and phone for each ensemble member and parent/guardian
    • One person (student or parent) to serve as the contact person for all communications
    • PDF of the score for upload
    • YouTube link for your video recording
    • Photo of your ensemble (not required but highly recommended)
  • Fill out the online entry form.  When the form is completed you will be asked to pay the entry fee via PayPal or check.
  • Submit your entry form, recording, and entry fee by April 15.

Entry Fee

There is an entry fee of $25 per person. You will be directed to the payment process after submitting your entry form. Entry fee can be paid via PayPal or check.

  • If paying by PayPal, please write the name of your ensemble in the notes so it can be processed promtly.
  • If paying by check, please make it out to Franklin Pond Chamber Music, write the name of your ensemble on the check, and send it to 4835 Franklin Pond Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342.

Schedule

Entry forms and Preliminary Round videos are due on April 15. The Final Round is held Memorial Day weekend (last full weekend in May), though the exact day may change from year to year. Ensembles accepted into the final round should reserve all day Saturday and Sunday until more details are sent to them by Franklin Pond. The last event--the Awards Concert--is held Sunday at 4:00 PM.

 

Click here for the entry form

Email competition@franklinpond.org with any questions.