​A-State Department of Music and Music Teachers Association of the Delta Present
2023 J. D. Kelly Piano Competition
The 2022 competition will take place on October 28, 2023 
​and the deadline for application and videos will be October 10.  

This competition honors the memory of Dr. J. D. Kelly, Professor Emeritus of Piano, Arkansas State University.  He is greatly missed!
 
APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE, OCT. 28, 2023 (Subject to change depending on number of students participating, etc.)
  • 8:30 am to 12:00 pm:  Junior and Senior High Competitions
  • 12:00 noon:  A-State Piano Student Showcase Recital
  • 12:30 pm: Lunch
  • 1:30 pm: Honors Recital (Students in Grades K-6)
  • 2:30 pm: Non-Competitive Recital (Students in Grades K-12)
  • 3:30 pm: Master Classes/Mini-Lessons (may also be scheduled individually)
 
OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
 
Students in Grades K-6:  
1.      Honors Recital Entrance fee $20. Participants chosen by Video Round.  Scroll down for information about *Video Submission Procedures.  Students should perform the same piece they will play at the Honors Recital for their videos.  Students also participating in a Master Class may choose a different piece for this.  All finalists chosen to play will receive Comments Sheets and a Medal.  Students not chosen for the Honors Recital will be automatically enrolled to perform on the Non-Competitive Recital, see No 3 below.  Click HERE for Application.
 
2.      Master Class or Mini-Lesson In Person or Remote, Entrance fee $20.  Students also participating in the Honors Recital may choose a different piece for this.  All participants will receive a Medal.  May be scheduled individually, including on a day other than Oct. 28.  Click HERE for Application.
 
        3.   Non-Competitive Recital In Person. open to any student.  For those NOT auditioning for Honors Recital, Entrance Fee
              $10.  Improvisation/arrangements are welcome.  Click HERE for Application.
 
Students in Grades 7-12:  
1.      Competition*
·       Two Levels: Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-12.  Entrance fee $40.  Click HERE for Application
·       There will be no Video Round this year.  
·       There will be no Technique requirements this year.
·       Each student will receive a Medal of Participation. 
·       Each entrant will also receive Comments Sheets from the judges.
·       Winners will also receive Trophies or Medals.
·       First and Second Prize Winners from previous years are eligible to compete again.
·       Pieces must be standard classical solo repertoire.  Transcriptions may be used with approval. 
       Concerto movements are NOT allowed.  
·       Grades 7-9:  One piece, performed from memory, not to exceed 7 minutes in length.  
1st Prize: $150; 2nd Prize: $100; 3rd Prize:  $50
Honorable Mention:  Certificate
·       Grades 10-12:  One piece, performed from memory, not to exceed 10 minutes in length. 
1st Prize: $200; 2nd Prize: $150; 3rd Prize:  $75
Honorable Mention:  Certificate 
For students graduating high school in 2024:  This competition can be used as an audition for Scholarships at A-State for entrance in Fall 2024, with preference to those majoring in music with Piano as the major instrument.  
·       Any number of Honorable Mentions may be named in each category.
·       The number of first and second prizes will be determined by the number of entrants in each level.  There will be 1 first prize, 1 second prize, and 1 third prize for categories with 1 to 10 entrants, and up to 2 prizes at each level in categories with 11 or more entrants.
 
        2.   Master Class or Mini-Lesson In Person or Remote, Entrance fee $20.  All participants will receive a Medal. 
              May be scheduled individually, including on a day other than Oct. 28. 
              Students participating in the Master Class may also apply 
              for the Competition or Honors Recital, but this is not mandatory. 
              Students also participating in the Honors Recital may choose a different piece for this. 
              Click HERE for Application.
 
        3.   Non-Competitive Recital, Open to any student.  Entrance Fee $10.  
              Improvisation/arrangements are welcome.  Click HERE for Application
 
College Students:
1.      Master Class or Mini-Lesson In Person or Remote, Entrance fee $20.  May be scheduled individually, including on a day other than Oct. 28. Click HERE for Application.  For students graduating college in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024:  This competition can be used as an audition for Scholarships or Graduate Assistantships at A-State for entrance in 2024-25.  
 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
·       Deadline for all Applications: 11:59 PM on October 10, 2023 
·       Deadline for Videos for Honors Recital, Grades K-6:  11:59 PM on October 10, 2023
·       After your online application submission, you will receive a PayPal invoice where you can pay the application fee (no PayPal account required).  It might take several days to receive the Invoice.  Application fee is due in five (5) business days after issuance of the invoice. 
·       Please note that your application is not complete until we receive your online application AND the application fee.
 

*HONORS RECITAL VIDEO SUBMISSION PROCEDURES for Grades K-6 (no videos required for Competition, Gr. 7-12)
 
After video recording is finished, upload as an “unlisted” video on YouTube, using the instructions below or simply Google the directions.  
 
Video Format: YouTube accepts any of the following video formats: .MO, .MPEG4, MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP and WebM. 
                    a. Go to www.youtube.com and sign in. If you don’t already have an account, create one. 
                    b. Click the “UPLOAD” button at the top. 
                    c. Either click on the “Select files to upload” box and select your video file from your
                       device or drag/drop your video file into the box. 
                    d. In the “Basic Info” screen, enter the appropriate title with the Student’s Name in the box
                        where the filename appears. 
                    e. In the box below the title, enter the name of the piece and the composer’s name. 
                    f. Change the visibility setting from “Public” to “Unlisted” and click “Done.” 
                    g. Click “Save.” 
                    h. Upload in appropriate box in Application, Click HERE for Application
 
By submitting the video link, you are granting consent for these videos to be viewed by an adjudicator for evaluation purposes.  
 
Many Thanks to our 2022 COMPETITION SPONSORS:
The Farrah Family, Dr. Chris Thompson, Music Teachers Association of the Delta, Treble Clef Club, Other generous individuals
 
To make a donation to the 2023 Competition, please click HERE. (PayPal account is required).  Thank you!
If you prefer to send a check, contact Dr. Lauren Schack Clark,
Arkansas State University Department of Music, PO Box 799, State University, AR, 72467
Make checks payable to “MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF THE DELTA”

CONTACT:
Dr. Lauren Schack Clark, Professor of Piano, Director of Keyboard Studies
Interim Chair, Music Department
Arkansas State University, lsclark@astate.edu, 
870-680-8029 office, 870-897-1782 cell
 

Sponsors for the 2022 Competitions:

Michael, Kaye, and Holly Farrah
Dr. Chris Thompson
Music Teachers Association of the Delta
​Treble Clef Music Club
Other generous individuals​