Welcome to the STRING division! We are so excited that you will be joining our legacy of artistry and excellence in MusicFest Northwest 2023. Please begin by selecting your instrument and click on the class for more information. Each class contains multiple sections and levels. Please consult with your teacher to select the most appropriate choices for your experience level.
Classes will be held Sunday May 14 through May 19, 2023, on the Gonzaga University Campus.
Division Classes
Chose your instrument below and click on the class for more information.
MEDAL CLASSES
- String Young Artist Class
- String Solo Class
- String Solo Adjudicator’s Choice Class
- String Unaccompanied Bach Competition Class
- String Piano Sonata Class
- Violin Showcase Class
- Strings Chamber Music Class (S101 – S103)
- String Concerto Open Class (medal)
- String Mixed Instrumentation Chamber Music Class
ADJUDICATION
MEDAL CLASSES
- String Young Artist Class
- String Solo Class
- String Solo Adjudicator’s Choice Class
- String Unaccompanied Bach Competition Class
- String Piano Sonata Class
- Strings Chamber Music Class (S101 – S103)
- String Concerto Open Class (medal)
- String Mixed Instrumentation Chamber Music Class
ADJUDICATION
MEDAL CLASSES
- String Young Artist Class
- String Solo Class
- String Solo Adjudicator’s Choice Class
- String Unaccompanied Bach Competition Class
- String Piano Sonata Class
- Strings Chamber Music Class (S101 – S103)
- String Concerto Open Class (medal)
- String Mixed Instrumentation Chamber Music Class
ADJUDICATION
MEDAL CLASSES
- String Young Artist Class
- String Solo Class
- String Solo Adjudicator’s Choice Class
- String Unaccompanied Bach Competition Class
- String Piano Sonata Class
- Strings Chamber Music Class (S101 – S103)
- String Concerto Open Class (medal)
- String Mixed Instrumentation Chamber Music Class
ADJUDICATION
Classes labeled * indicate a competition class where winners receive gold/silver medals. Classes without this designation are adjudication (individual feedback) only.
* Medal Class (competition class where winners receive gold/silver medals)
** Adjudicators Choice Class (competition class where the gold medal winner with the highest score will be invited to perform at the Festival Highlights concert on Friday night)
STRING YOUNG ARTIST CLASS
We invited you to perform a selected piece(s) of your choice, as well as the required concerto movement for your respective instrument (listed below). This class requires participation in all three sections.
- Entry Fee for Young Artist Class is $100
- The Young Artist Participant must be between the ages of 16 and 29, inclusive, on December 31, 2022
- Performance Requirements for this class are as follows: (see below for section details)
- S1A – Personal Choice Solo
- S1B – Sight Reading
- S1C – Required Repertoire
The winner, with a grade of at least 97, will receive an award of $700 and must be available to play with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra at the Young Artist Concert on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, as well as one rehearsal with orchestra on Tuesday afternoon or evening.
- 1st Prize – $700
- 2nd Prize – $300
Note: A teacher may not accompany their own student in this class.
See Rules and Regulations on the Festival page.
* S1A String Young Artist Personal Choice Section
Memorization is required.
Participants are allowed to play any piece that they feel best displays their musical ability and artistry.
This piece may not be played in any other class.
Time Limit: Selection must be between 4 and 10 minutes in length.
Note: If the required piece is a movement from a concerto, the personal choice piece should not be another movement from that work.
* S1B String Young Artist Sight Reading Section
Test music is selected by the adjudicator.
Time Limit: 5 minutes
* S1C String Young Artist Required Repertoire Section
Young Artist required piece must be memorized.
Young Artist Required Repertoire:
- Violin—Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso in A minor, Op. 28 by Saint Saens
- Viola—Andante & Rondo Ongarese, Op. 35 by Weber, Primrose Edition
- Cello—Pezzo Capriccioso, Op. 62 by Tchaikovsky
- Bass—Concerto no. 2 in B minor, 1st mvt by Bottesini, played in solo tuning, in the sounding key of B Minor.
STRING SOLO CLASS
Welcome to the String Solo Class!
We invite those soloists that are seeking competition and adjudication at a more challenging level. Participants in this class should prepare a solo selection from the list below. These classes are not defined by age or grade in school, but by difficulty of required pieces.
Note: These classes will be adjudicated for medals only.
* S2 String Solo Level 1A / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Must be memorized.
Required Pieces:
- Violin–Ashoken Farewell by Jay Ungar, Published by Mel Bay
- Viola—Sleeping Princess, by Papini, found in Solos for Young Violists, Vol. 1
- Cello—Berceuse by Jarnefelt, found in Solos for Young Cellists, Vol. 2
- Bass—Berceuse by Jarnefelt, found in Progressive Repertoire for Double Bassists, vol. 3
* S3 String Solo Level 1B / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Must be memorized:
Required Pieces:
- Violin—Russische Fantasie No. 2 by Portnoff, Published by Bosworth & Co.
- Viola—Fantasie—La Cenerentola by Dancla, found in Solos for Young Violists, Vol. 2
- Cello—Scherzo by Webster, found in Suzuki Book 3
- Bass—Moto Perpetuo by Paganini, found in Progressive Solos for Double Bass, Book 2
* S4 String Solo Level 2A / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Must be memorized.
Required Pieces:
- Violin—Cavatina by Joachim Raff
- Viola—Pavane Pour une Infante Défunt by Ravel, arranged by G. Drouet, published by Ludwig Masters Publications
- Cello—Vocalise by Rachmaninoff, Ed. International
- Bass—Vocalise by Rachmaninoff, in Solos for the Double Bass Player by Zimmerman
* S5 String Solo Level 2B / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Must be memorized.
Required Pieces:
- Violin—Czardas by Monti, found in Solos for Young Violinists, Vol. 5
- Viola—Spanish Dance by Moszkowski, in Solos for Young Violists, Vol. 2
- Cello— Allegro Appassionato by Saint Saens
- Bass—Concerto by Capuzzi, 3rd movement, Francis Baines ed, Boosey & Hawkes
STRING SOLO ADJUDICATORS CHOICE CLASS
We invite soloists that are seeking competition and adjudication at a more challenging level. Participants in this class should prepare a solo selection from the list below. These classes are not defined by age or grade in school, but by difficulty of required pieces.
The winner with the highest score will be invited to play in the Festival Highlights Concert on Friday evening. If the winner of the class is unable to perform in the concert, it may be offered to a qualified alternate as determined by the adjudicator.
Adjudicator Choice participants may not enter the Young Artist Class in this Division in the same year.
** S6 String Solo Level 3A (Adjudicators Choice) / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
Must be memorized
Required Pieces:
- Violin—Symphonie Espagnole, first movement by Lalo
- Viola—Suite Hebraique, Rhapsodie, (1st movement) by Bloch
- Cello—Requiebros by Cassado, Published by Schott
- Bass—Concerto op. 3, 2nd movement by Koussevitzky, Alfred Music
** S7 String Solo Level 3B (Adjudicators Choice) / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
Must be memorized
Required Pieces:
- Violin—Zapateado by Sarasate
- Viola—“Jota”, Siete Canciones Populares Espanolas by DeFalla
- Cello—Tarantella, Op. 33 by Popper, International.
- Bass—Rondo from Romance & Rondo, by Keyper, Progressive Repertoire for Double Bass, Vol. 3
STRING UNACCOMPANIED BACH COMPETITION CLASS
We invite you to prepare one or more movements from the Bach Solo Sonatas and Partitas or Bach Cello Suites. Transcriptions for Viola and Bass allowed. This class is not defined by age or grade in school, but by difficulty of required pieces.
Note: You may choose a movement that exceeds 10 minutes, but the adjudicator may cut you off. These classes will be adjudicated for medals only.
* S8 String Unaccompanied Bach Competition / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Must be memorized.
STRING PIANO SONATA CLASS
We invite you to prepare a string-piano sonata movement of your choice. The pianist may be a student or professional. Classes are divided by your age/grade level in school.
Note: You may choose a movement that exceeds the allotted time, but the adjudicator may cut you off. These classes will be adjudicated for medals only.
* S9 1st-8th Grade String-Piano Sonata / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
* S10 9th-12th Grades – String-Piano Sonata / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
* S11 College – String-Piano Sonata / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
VIOLIN SHOWCASE CLASS
We invite you to prepare a selection by Kreisler or Paganini from the lists below.
Note: These classes are for medals. Violin only.
* S34 String Class 34 Kreisler / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Choose one piece from the following list: Must be memorized.
- Caprice Viennois, Op. 2
- Tambourin Chinois, Op. 3
- Liebesfreud
- Liebesleid
- Schöen Rosmarin
- La Gitana
- Tempo di Minuetto
- Menuet in the style of Porpora
- Variations on a Theme by Corelli in the Style of Tartini
- Sicilienne and Rigaudon in the Style of Francoeur
- Praeludium and Allegro in the Style of Paganani
- Syncopation
- Danse Espagnole From La Vida Breve (Da Falla)
- Spanish Dance in E minor (Granados)
* S36 String Class 36 Paganini Caprice / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Paganini Caprice of your choice. Must be memorized.
STRING CHAMBER MUSIC CLASS
This class is open to string chamber music groups. These ensembles include string duos, trios, quartets, quintets, sextets, and octets.
Note: Only one entry for the entire ensemble. This is a medals class.
* S101 Not over 8th Grade String Ensemble / Entry Fee: 50.00 USD
This class is for string duos, trios, quartets, quintets, sextets and octets.
Time Limit: 10 minutes
* S102 9th-12th Grade String Ensemble / Entry Fee: 50.00 USD
This class is for string duos, trios, quartets, quintets, sextets and octets.
Time Limit: 15 minutes
* S103 College String Ensemble / Entry Fee: 50.00 USD
This class is for string duos, trios, quartets, quintets, sextets and octets.
Time Limit: 15 minutes
STRING CONTEMPORARY CLASS
We invite musicians of any skill or experience level to perform a selection of their choice. Please prepare a piece composed after 1950 that displays your musical ability and artistry.
Note: This class is for adjudication only.
S13 String Open Solo / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
STRING CONCERTO OPEN CLASS
We invite musicians of any skill or experience level to perform a concerto movement of their choice, within their grade in school. Please prepare a piece that represents your musical ability and artistry.
Note: With the exception of Class S37, these classes are adjudication only with no age restriction.
S15 String 1st-6th Grades Open Concerto / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
S16 String 7th-8th Grades Open Concerto / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
S17 String 9th-10th Grades Open Concerto / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
S18 String 11th-12th Grades Open Concerto / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
S19 College/Adult Open Concerto / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
STRING CONCERTO OPEN CLASS (MEDAL)
We invite musicians of any skill or experience level to perform a concerto movement of their choice, within their grade in school. Please prepare a piece that represents your musical ability and artistry.
Note: With the exception of Class S37, these classes are adjudication only with no age restriction.
* S37 Advanced Concerto (Medal Class) / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
For Mozart-level concertos and above. One movement of any advanced-level concerto.
Note: This class DOES qualify for a medal.
Time Limit: 15 minutes
STRING CONCERTO OPEN CLASS
We invite musicians of any skill or experience level to perform a concerto movement of their choice, within their grade in school. Please prepare a piece that represents your musical ability and artistry.
Note: With the exception of Class S37, these classes are adjudication only with no age restriction.
(If low enrollment, could combine the elementary classes into one group, as well as same idea with high school ages?)
* S37 Advanced Concerto (Medal Class) / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
For Mozart-level concertos and above. One movement of any advanced-level concerto.
Note: This class DOES qualify for a medal.
Time Limit: 15 minutes
STRING CONCERT WORKS CLASS
Welcome to the String Concert Works Class!
We invite musicians of any skill or experience level to perform a string concert selection from a major work, comparable to “Introduction and Rondo Capriccio” by Saint-Saens or “Poeme” by Chausson.
Note: These classes are adjudication only with no age restriction.
S20 String Concert Piece / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Music should be a major work, comparable to “Introduction and Rondo Capriccio” by Saint-Saens or “Poeme” by Chausson.
Time Limit: 15 minutes
S21 String Double Concerto or Concert Duo / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Time Limit: 10 minutes
STRING UNACCOMPANIED BACH OPEN CLASS
Welcome to the String Unaccompanied Bach Open Class!
We invite you to prepare one major movement, e.g., a fugue or prelude, etc. or two shorter movements e.g., a gigue and a gavotte, etc.
Note: These classes are adjudication only with no age restriction.
S23 Unaccompanied Bach Open / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Does not need to be memorized.
Time Limit: 10 minutes
STRING OPEN CLASS (ADJUDICATION ONLY)
Welcome to the String Open Class (Adjudication only)!
We invite musicians of any skill or experience level to perform a selection of their choice, within their grade in school. You should prepare a piece that represents your musical ability and artistry.
Note: These classes are adjudication only and open to all who wish adjudication on any published work
(Same music cannot be performed in any other section by the same entrant).
S24 String Open Elementary Through 3rd Grade / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Not over 2 years of study.
Time limit: 10 min
S25 String Open Elementary 4th-6th Grades / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Not over 2 years of study.
Time limit: 10 min
S26 String Open – Elementary 7th-8th Grades / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
Not over 2 years of study.
Time limit: 10 min
S27 String Open Intermediate Through 3rd Grade / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
More Than 2 years of study.
Time limit: 10 min
S28 String Open Intermediate 4th-6th Grades / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
More than 2 years of study.
Time limit: 10 min
S29 String Open Intermediate 7th-8th Grades / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
More than 2 years of study.
Time Limit: 10 minutes
S30 String Open 9th-10th Grades / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
S31 String Open 11th-12th Grades / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
S32 String Open College / Entry Fee: 35.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
S33 String Open Adult Beginner / Entry Fee: 30.00 USD
For age 16 and over.
Time Limit: 10 minutes
STRING MIXED INSTRUMENTATION CHAMBER MUSIC CLASS
Welcome to the String Mixed Instrumentation Chamber Music Class!
This class is open to chamber music groups of mixed instrumentation (example: violin, clarinet, piano as a trio). The group must include at least one string player and at least one non-string player. If piano is a part of the group, it will be an integral component, rather than an accompanying participant, so all members will be adjudicated accordingly.
Note: You only need one entry for the entire ensemble.
* S110 9th-12th Grade Chamber Music / Entry Fee: 50.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
* S111 College Level Chamber Music / Entry Fee: 50.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
* S112 Chamber Music Not Over 8th grade / Entry Fee: 50.00 USD
Time Limit: 15 minutes
Division Rules & Regulations
Music performed in any of the classes must be chosen from a published source OR by permission of the composer. Please note the following list:
- Bring an extra physical copy (legal copy) for the adjudicator. Please do bring unauthorized photo copies
- Measure numbers for each brace must be clearly indicated in the left margin of selections to be performed.
- Selection does not need to be memorized unless otherwise noted.
Additional Resources
Participants must contact a pianist directly. MusicFest Northwest does not provide a pianist for classes. It is the responsibility of the participant to secure their own pianists. We know that finding a pianist can be challenging so we have compiled a list a local pianists that are available during the week of MusicFest Northwest 2023. (Note that participants may coordinate with pianists included in the list below) It is the participants’ responsibility to coordinate rehearsals, fees, performance time, and any other information with their chosen pianist. The fees charged may vary between pianists.
Please note: Teachers may not accompany their own students in any of the Young Artist Divisions.
- Hannah Acheson, achesonpiano@gmail.com , (509) 675-0509
- Carly Bair, cbair@whitworth.edu , (425) 343-6048
- Tomoko Kimura, tkimura@ewu.edu , (509) 280-6987
- Greg Presley, gregpresley@netzero.com , (509) 251-3275
- Rachelle Ventura, rachelleventura@gmail.com , (509) 533-1907
- Margaret Francik, francikmargaret@gmail.com , (509) 531-6849
- Christian Skok, Cskok98@gmail.com , (509) 993-8299
- Cedric Bidwell-Williams, cedric@bidwell-williams.org , (509) 565-9253
- Yi-chun Chen, pianoyichun@yahoo.com , (509) 842-4241
- Katelyn Kennedy, Kkennedy10@ewu.edu , (360) 550-8937
- Scott Rednour, srednour@ewu.edu , (917) 612-7554
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