MA-ASTA Master’s Solo Competition

Senior Division

Students in College and Graduate School students under the age fo 25 compete in a supportive environment that encourages community and camaraderie.

 

Eligibility

  • Open to musicians who are enrolled in College and Graduate School under the age of 25.

  • Eligible instruments are Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Harp, and Guitar.

  • Applicants must be a student of a current ASTA member in good standing in the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, or Connecticut State Chapter. Proof of membership is required.

  • Applicants must currently reside or attend school in one of the aforementioned states. 

Requirements

  • Non-Refundable fee of $25

  • Official document confirming age of applicant (passport, state ID, license, birth certificate, etc.) - brought to competition

  • Provide your own pianist for any repertoire that requires accompaniment. A list of pianists and their contact information can be found here.

  • Please bring a copy of your scores for the judges.

Repertoire

PRELIMINARY ROUND - segments from required works will be heard for less than 10 minutes. Note it is unlikely for entire movements to be heard. Memorization is not required for the novice level.

VIOLIN - VIOLA - CELLO - BASS

  • 2 contrasting movements of unaccompanied Bach

  • 1 movement of a Concerto from any period

  • Any short work (1-4 minutes) written in the past 30 years. (Examples are listed at the bottom of the page)

  • Contestant's choice 

HARP

  • 1 transcription of a Baroque or Classical composition

  • 1 movement of a Romantic composition

  • 2019 MA-ASTA Composition Competition winner Marc Hoffeditz - Circinus (purchase here)

  • Contestant's choice

GUITAR

  • 2 contrasting movements from a suite by Bach

  • 1 movement of a Concerto by Brouwer, Ponce, or Villa-Lobos

  • 2015 MA-ASTA Composition Competition winner Joshua Hahn - Lullaby (purchase here)

  • Contestant's choice

FINAL ROUND - The performance should be approximately 10 minutes (6-12 acceptable) in length from a work of the applicant's choice. This may be a single movement work, or a single movement from a larger work. ​

Prizes

Cash and physical prizes TBD