MusicStars Online Music Competition - The Affordable & Fun Festival for K-6 Students (FAQs)

from the Private Teacher Index


Want a musical opportunity for your kids that's rewarding, affordable, and fun?


The MusicStars Online Competition, now in its 13th season, provides an opportunity for kids like yours to achieve more and be encouraged for their efforts.


The MusicStars music competition is a low-stress opportunity to perform, get helpful feedback, and win awards.


Enroll between June 1st-June 30th. Videos due July 20th. Winners announced August 1st.




$35 USD per Student


Entry fee may be paid with a credit card. Email completed applications to info@makingmusicfun.net.


Sign Me Up!

Below you'll find all the details about how to join the fun, including:

Eligibility
Repertoire Requirements
Entry Fee
Divisions
Application
Adjudication
Four Levels of Distinction
Awards

Visit the MusicStars Music Festival Showcase page to view video performances of participating students from our last festival.

Want festival updates? Scroll to the bottom of this page to subscribe to the MakingMusicFun.net Newsletter.





Eligibility

1) Age Range - The festival is open to piano, guitar, and recorder students who are ages 5-12 at the time they record their video performance. Woodwind, brass, string, percussion, and voice students must be ages 9-12.

2) Enrolled in Lessons - Students must currently be taking music lessons either in person, online in real time, or through the MakingMusicFun.net Music Academy.

3) Prior Experience - Students must have studied for at least 6 months prior to application.


Register for the MakingMusicFun.net Music Academy Premium/Annual Subscription today and get your guaranteed competition entry for FREE!



Repertoire Requirements

1) One Piece - Students are limited to submitting a video performance of only one piece. The piece should be a minimum of 12 measures or a maximum of 5 minutes.

2) Family-Friendly Music - Students may choose sheet music arrangements from the MakingMusicFun.net Sheet Music Index, graded lesson books (Alfred's, Piano Adventures, etc.), classical music, folk music, Disney songs, movie and TV music, or Broadway scores. Whatever students choose to play, we just ask that it be family-friendly.

3) No Memorization Required - Music may be memorized, although it is not required.

Entry Fee


$35 USD per Student


Entry fee may be paid with a credit card. Email completed applications to info@makingmusicfun.net.


Sign Me Up!

Divisions

The following solo divisions are our best attempt in providing a fair competition for young performers. Our primary goal with this festival, however, is that students feel motivated to excel as young musicians and be encouraged for their efforts.

1) Beginning (Ages 5-8)
2) Intermediate (Ages 9-10)
3) Advanced (Ages 11-12)
4) Late Beginner (Less than one year of experience / Ages 9-12)




Application

Interested in participating? Begin by printing a MusicStars 2024 Competition Registration Packet.



MusicStars 2024 Competition Registration Packet




Adjudication

Student video performances will be adjudicated by one or more professional music teachers. Helpful tips will be offered for improving each student's performance, along with tons of praise for the things they are doing well.

Using a 100-point system, each performance will be evaluated with the following criteria:

1) Accuracy (20 Points)
2) Tempo (20 Points)
3) Technique (20 Points)
4) Musicianship (20 Points)
5) Overall Performance (20 Points)

The total number of points awarded by the adjudicator determines the student's level of achievement. Because the purpose of this festival is both growing musicianship and encouraging kids, no student will receive less than 70 points.




Four Levels of Distinction

MusicStars Festival divides student achievement into four different levels, with each level providing encouragement to the student.


Superior/Shining Star (90-100 Points) The Highest Standard with Strong Preparation, Style, Accuracy and Steady Beat. A Trophy Winning Performance.

Superior (90-100 Points) Strong Preparation, Style, Accuracy and Steady Beat

Excellent (80-89 Points) Above Average Preparation, but with Some Flaws

Good Effort (70-79 Points) Average Preparation



Awards

1) MusicStars Festival Showcase - Every student will be featured in the MusicStars Festival Showcase.


2) Trophies - Adjudicators will select three (3) students from each division to be named "Shining Stars." These students will be highlighted in the MusicStars Festival Showcase.


3) Certificates - All other students will receive a personalized award certificate reflecting their level of achievement.

Parents will have the option to upgrade from a certificate to a trophy, if they would like to mark their child’s accomplishment in an extra special way.


MusicStars Music Award Certificate





Results will be announced in our newsletter following the close of the MusicStars Online Competition. Trophies, certificates, and adjudication sheets will be shipped within 7-10 days of the announcement.




Previous Winners

Want to check out videos of participants from previous years? Here are three of our "Shining Stars."









Praise

Check out how much parents and kids love our online music competition:


"I love your online festival idea because it is very NON-threatening and that's what the kids really like about it too." - Sarah M.

"Thank you MMF! My son always enjoys the extra motivation." - Selina H.

"Thanks for hosting this every year! It's a great low-stress opportunity for students!" Dawn I.





$35 USD per Student


Entry fee may be paid with a credit card. Email completed applications to info@makingmusicfun.net.




Sign Me Up!

Questions? Email: info@makingmusicfun.net