February 2026
National Piano Guild Playing Auditions
The National Piano Guild Playing Auditions will take place during the week of March 16th at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, Route 32 in New Paltz. For those of you unfamiliar with the Piano Guild, this is a division of the American College of Musicians founded in 1929. Their goal is to encourage and establish goals for all students studying piano. These goals give students direction and provide a measurement of progress. Students prepare a pre-determined number of memorized solos with corresponding technical elements and perform them for a Guild appointed judge. During this month your child and I will set goals for the guild auditions and then work out a plan on how to best achieve those goals. Upon completion of the audition, as it is called, the students will be presented their certificate and pin If anyone would like further information about the Guild, you may also go their website: acmglobal.org
Fees are due by February 9th with checks payable to me (separate from tuition checks, please), or through Venmo. (I am required to send one check per studio) I will send everyone the registration fees via e mail or text during the week of February 2nd. Registration Fees are determined by the level and amount of pieces. Please take note that schedules come from Austin, Texas and I have little flexibility determining actual dates and times for the audition. The auditions usually run from 8 – 5 so there is a possibility that your child will have to miss school. This is an acceptable absence and I have letters from the Guild excusing your child from school. Fees are non-refundable, however I will not allow students who are unprepared to participate in the festival. Although I do encourage all students to participate in this event, I will remind everyone that performing music successfully requires a serious practice commitment.
Solo Recital: Right now I am looking at Wednesday March 18th, but will firm that date up once I see the guild schedule.
NYSSMA Festival: Please contact your child’s school music teacher for dates and registration as each district is different. Students MUST register through the school. I will help the students choose an appropriate and prepare them for scales and sight reading.
Kingston Site - April 17 and 18
Mount In Esopus: May 8 and 9
Valentina Shatalova