Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA)

44th Roberta Savler Piano Contest

Co-chairs: Regina Syrkin and Patricia Heineman-Vernon

The Savler Contest is an annual piano contest that attracts students from the greater Chicago area who compete for trophies and a performance opportunity. Click here for Savler Contest history and past winners.

IMPORTANT DATES AND VENUES

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2024
Contest Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024
Contest Venue: Fine Arts Building, 410 S Michigan Ave in Chicago
Winners Recital Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024, time TBA
Winners Recital Venue: Montgomery Place, 5550 S Shore Dr in Chicago

REGISTRATION AND FEES

Entry Fee: $50 per student for CAMTA member | $65 per student for non-CAMTA member
Volunteer Fee: $20 per student for teachers who are not available for volunteer work
FEES CANNOT BE REFUNDED!
Registration and fee payments must be completed online (see below)

REPERTOIRE

This year we are focusing on repertoire of Latinx composers at every level.

LEVEL A

Required piece:

O. Pinto: Playing Marbles from Children’s Festival: Little Suite for the Piano (from The 20th Century, Intermediate Level; G. Schirmer HL297097)

Choice:

D. Zipoli: Fugue in E minor (from Audition Repertoire for the Intermediate Pianist, Book 1; Alfred 37334)
J. B. Vanhal: Allegretto in A Major, Op. 41, No. 12 (from The Classical Spirit, Book 1; Alfred 16720)
J. Sibelius: Valsette from 10 Pensées Lyriques, Op. 40, No. 1 (from Favorite Classics, Book 2; Alfred 6589)
O. L. Fernández: Yayá sonhando from Suite da Boneca Yayá (from Celebration Series Piano Repertoire, Level 4; F. Harris C6R04)

LEVEL B

Required piece:

B. Martinů: Kolombina Tanci (Colombine Dances) from Puppets, Book I, H. 137/1 (Bärenreiter Praha H07875)

Choice:

G. F. Handel: Allemande from Suite No. 4 in D minor, HWV 437 (Schott HL49017536)
J. L. Dussek: 1st movement (Allegro) from Sonatina in E♭ Major, Op. 20, No. 6, C. 93 (from Easy Piano Classics; Dover AP6-404072)
C. Chávez: Inocencia from Páginas sencillas (from Early Piano Pieces, Vol. 1; Carlanita Music HL50480236)
A. Piazzolla: Duo I from El sueño de una noche de verano (from Vuelvo al sur; Boosey & Hawkes HL48019393)

LEVEL C

Required piece:

A. Ginastera: Homenaje a Roberto Garcia Morillo (No. 6) AND Homenaje a Juan Jose Castro (No. 8) from Doce Preludios Americanos, Op. 12 (C. Fischer O5471)

Choice:

J. S. Bach, arr. D. Kabalevsky: Short Organ Prelude and Fugue in F Major, BWV 556 (Leeds)
L. v. Beethoven: Bagatelle in E♭ Major, Op. 33, No. 1 (Henle HL51480020)
E. Nazareth: Ameno resedá: Polca in C Major (from Brazilian Tangos and Dances; Alfred 16775)
A. Khachaturian: Toccata (No. 9) (from Children’s Album, Book 2; Sikorski SIK2166; HL50484190) NOTE: This is an updated piece

LEVEL D

Required piece:

H. Villa-Lobos: Prelúdio from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4, W. 264/1 (from The Piano Music of Heitor Villa-Lobos; Music Sales HL14025500)

Choice:

J. S. Bach: Prelude AND Fugue No. 20 in A minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II, BWV 889
M. Clementi: 2nd movement (Lento e patetico) from Sonata in F♯ minor, Op. 25, No. 5 (G. Schirmer HL50485899)
M. Ponce: Tema Mexicano Variado (Peermusic HL228404)
S. Barber: Pas de deux from Souvenirs, Op. 28, No. 3 (G. Schirmer HL50336680)

CONTEST RULES AND REGULATIONS

The contest is open to all students who are high school seniors or younger. There is no age restriction for any level. Students who previously placed 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd in Level A, B, or C, or 1^st in Level D are not eligible to compete again in the same level; however, students who previously placed 2^nd, or 3^rd in level D may reenter at the same level. Honorable Mention winners are not required to advance to the next level.

Contestants are to prepare 2 pieces: one required piece and one elective piece from the Choice list for their level. All pieces must be performed by memory. Editions mentioned in the repertoire list are for reference only; there are no specific edition requirements. Repeats may be taken at the discretion of the contestant and teacher unless otherwise indicated. Da Capo and Dal Segno must be observed.

There are no restrictions for teachers regarding the number of entries. Each student may enter only one level and must be enrolled on the official application form, showing all required information.

All participating teachers are expected to make every effort to donate their time to monitor, help with contest setup, clean up or help with the Winners recital. If it’s impossible to physically be present on the contest date, then you’ll have to provide a responsible adult to do this job. If this is still impossible, then you’ll have to include an additional $20 fee per student to pay for monitors in your place.

The contest application form must be completed online, below. The payments should be done online only.

Schedule will be emailed to teachers a week before the contest.

All students will receive ribbons for participation on the day of the event. First, second, and third place trophies will be awarded in each level.

First place score: 99–100
Second place score: 97–98
Third place score: 95–96

Ties and Honorable mentions can be given at the judges’ discretion. If the number of entries in a division becomes excessively large, contestants may be split into two or more separate groups with 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners in each group. Conversely, if a level has a small number of participants, fewer prizes may be awarded.

The decision of the judges is final. Results of the contest and judges’ comment sheets will be mailed to the teachers. The winning students’ teachers will be notified by the first Monday following the contest and told which piece should be performed at the recital. Trophies and Honorable mention certificates are distributed at the Winners Recital.

ONLINE REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Thank you for your interest in the CAMTA Roberta Savler Piano Contest. Registration for this event is currently closed. Links will be made available here when registration opens.