PIANO GUILD
presented by
The American College of Musicians and
The National Guild of Piano Teachers
The American College of Musicians and
The National Guild of Piano Teachers
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Registration Deadline: March 17, 2025 Event Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025 (Tentative) Venue: Townsend Center for the Performing Arts University of West Georgia 207 W Georgia Dr, Carrollton, GA 30117 Event Fee: $32-37 |
Piano Guild began in 1929 and is currently the largest internationally recognized festival of its kind. It is yet another wonderful opportunity for students to feel proud of their pianistic achievements, which helps encourage further study and practice. The nearest testing center is in Carrollton, home of West Georgia College and about a 45-minute drive from Peachtree City through Newnan. |
Fun fact: Van Cliburn, one of the United States’ greatest pianists (and a personal favorite), was a Piano Guild Goal Winner in his youth!
Like all piano festivals (such as Federation), Guild is an evaluated event and students are expected to progress to higher class levels. It is comparable to passing grades in school or earning report cards and diplomas as students participate through the years.
Below are a few details on what Piano Guild is, what it entails, and how it compares to other events.
Like all piano festivals (such as Federation), Guild is an evaluated event and students are expected to progress to higher class levels. It is comparable to passing grades in school or earning report cards and diplomas as students participate through the years.
Below are a few details on what Piano Guild is, what it entails, and how it compares to other events.
- Students are evaluated each year by a reputable, certified, and non-local judge/examiner.
- Students receive graded report cards based on the merits of their performances, accumulating awards and badges (pins) of bronze, silver, and gold. These badges are earned not just by how well a student performs, but also by how many pieces the student has learned. Guild encourages students to build and maintain their repertoire through the years. Federation offers cups/trophies, which is also very exciting. Piano Guild’s criteria for recognition is a little more demanding than Federation.
- No new material needs to be learned for Piano Guild if a student is already performing in other events. Students can use prior pieces as they work their way to higher badges (from Bronze to Silver, or from Silver to Gold). For instance, a student may perform three pieces one year, then add another 3 pieces the following year for a total of 6 pieces. The more pieces they perform (successfully), the better the badge they receive. This leads to even more recognition and special award plaques and diplomas.
- Students may choose to perform up to 3 “musicianship phases” in lieu of pieces as they work their way toward higher badges. Each phase centers on a particular skill, such as Scales, Chords/Cadences, Arpeggios, Ear Training, Transposition, Improvisation, and Sight-Reading. Students may start at a lower level and advance to more difficult levels later as they get acquainted with the process. Promoting these skills makes any musician more competent and able to learn pieces more rapidly.
- Like Federation, Piano Guild is a non-competitive event. The student receives the grade that they earn and is not based on the playing level of their peers. This means no matter the school grade, they can be beginners or advanced players.
- “Hobbyist” Category: for students who do not want to memorize their music or want to perform arrangements, such as pop songs.
- Adult students may participate as well.
- Opportunities and competitions are available for young composers.
- Other Awards: Scholarships, Diplomas, Plaques.
- As with all events, fees are required for registration. Fees are determined by enrollment categories. Most students would probably expect to pay $32-37.
