Gold Cup

What is Gold Cup?

- Gold Cup or Festival" is an "competition with self" sponsored by the Virginia Music Teachers Association which is under the National Music Teacher Association. Each year around the beginning of March, students perform for a panel of judges to display their skill level they have attained the previous year. The student is awarded points with respect to how well they perform. The student may earn a "Gold Cup" each 15 points that are awarded for each category they participate. The maximum number of points is 5 per year.

What are the different categories?

- The students may enter in piano, voice, brass, woodwind, percussion and guitar. There are also Duet categories and a theory category as well. Some of the the instruments such as piano and voice may have several categories such as in classical versus broadway. Please ask your instructor for more information.

What kind of music is used?

- The student is required to perform two different pieces. The first piece is a REQUIRED piece that is chosen from the Festival Bulliten published by the NMTA. The second piece is a "choice" piece chosen by both the teacher and the student that will represent the same level as the required piece.

What is the cost of the festival?

- The cost to the student is approximately $10 dollars per category and the price of any music that must be purchased. Copies of sheet music is not allowed in the judging rooms because of the violation of copyright laws.