Redlands Branch
Adult Performance is an annual program which provides coaching, master class and performance opportunities in all disciplines. This program is for interested teachers and adult students of all instruments who would like a performance goal and additional constructive comments. Each solo or ensemble participant prepares three compositions and may select from several options, including private coaching, master class participation and if desired, a recital performance. Recital participants may also be considered for participation in the Adult Performance Recital at the State Convention under one of three classifications: avocational, vocational, or MTAC teacher-performer.
Awards Program is designed to recognize outstanding branch and individual teacher recital programs, yearbooks, newsletters, scrapbooks, other published material, and branch websites.
Cal Plan is a self-study educational program designed to enhance teaching skills that includes music theory, history and pedagogy.
Certificate of Merit offers a systematic and comprehensive ten-year graduated learning program in piano, strings, woodwinds, and voice. Theory, technique, history, sight-reading, ear-training and performance skills are all included in the annual evaluations. Selected students perform at branch honors recitals and the state convention. Certificates are awarded to participants. A detailed syllabus is available.
Composers Today is a program designed to assist and encourage teachers to include composition and improvisation in their curriculum. It provides both students and teachers an opportunity to have their compositions evaluated by composer judges and heard in public performance. In addition to helpful syllabi for teachers and workbooks for students, branch workshops and seminars are available.
Friends of Today's Music commissions a new work by a recognized American composer each year and sponsors its premiere at the annual state convention.
Improvisation is a program designed to help students and teachers expand their musical abilities through the various type of improvisation. The program offers an evaluation program in addition to an opportunity for student to perform at the State Convention. A helpful syllabus and games/activities book is available through the State Office. Additional Resources are available through the State Mtac Website. Branch workshop and seminars are also offered.
Piano Competitions invite gifted piano students through age twenty-four to compete in concerto or solo repertoire.
The Annual State Convention is held alternately in Southern and Northern California. It features presentations by internationally and nationally known artists and lecturers, materials from well-known pedagogues, masterclasses in all instruments and voice, and a showcase recitals for outstanding students at all levels.
VOCE offers vocalists, instrumentalists, and chamber ensembles and incentive to develop as performers. Branch and regional competitions are held for solo and ensemble categories The winners are presented in a recital at the state convention.
Young Artist Guild is the highest achievement that a Certificate of Merit student can attain. YAG offers semi-professional, paid performance opportunities to our most gifted young soloists through branch sponsored concerts. Students belong to the Guild for 5 years.
Young Composers Guild is for talented students choosing composition
as a career. As part of the Composers Today Program, YCG members are
selected for a five year membership during which they may perform their
original works in recital for MTAC branches.
Inland Empire Piano Festival is a piano competition for students age 7 through 18. Held annually in February, the competition focuses on the music of a different historical period each year, alternating between the music of the Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary Periods.
Sacred Music Piano Festival is held annually in the summer and features three division (solo, duet, and original composition). Its "non-competitive" format is two-fold: master classes with outstanding clinicians, and a Grand Finale Concert showcasing performers from the different divisions selected by the Festival clinicians.
Southern California Junior Bach Festival provides an opportunity for students to explore and appreciate the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. It stresses a high level of achievement and offers three levels of competition: Branch Festival, Regional Festival, and the Complete Works Audition.
Bach Festival is an adjudicated festival, open to all students of Branch teachers. All Baroque literature is appropriate. No transcriptions of keyboard works are accepted. Up to thirty-five percent of students performing J. S. Bach may be selected for the Regional Festival. All other students performing are eligible for Honorable Mention.
Ensemble Music Festival is open to any ensemble with two or more members. This may include instrumental duos, trios, quartets, quintets, etc. and solo instruments/voice with piano accompaniment. Piano duos are also welcome to perform on this festival.
Holiday Music Festival is traditionally held in early December at the local Redlands Mall. Teachers hold their own student recitals in this public venue during prearranged time slots on one of three days. Music performed generally includes festive or holiday songs. Students are given Certificates of Participation.
Improvisation Composition Pageant is held in April. Students are invited to perform prepared improvisation and/or original student compositions. In addition, students will have the opporutunity to participate in unrehearsed extemporizations as part of the games and activities portion of the program.
Music Scholarship Program: The Redlands Branch Scholarship currently offers two different programs. The SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS are financial awards given to graduating senior high school students of Branch teachers. The UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS SCHOLARSHIPS are financial awards given annually to outstanding Bachelor of Music Majors at the University of Redlands. Winners perform in a feature recital with proceeds to help raise scholarship money for the Redlands Branch. Future plans for the program include the creation of a need-based scholarship.
Showcase
Recitals: Participation in these recitals
is by invitation only and is the highest honor the branch has to
recognize the achievements of its members’ students. This program's
purpose it to: Highlight a broad range of branch programs and to
feature
the most talented
young musicians in our branch; To honor and recognize the noteworthy
accomplishments of students in several important musical disciplines;
To inspire students to excel and to expand their musical knowledge
of all music disciplines (composition, ensemble, solo, etc.)
Currently, VOCE winners, and Convention Recital applicants with a score
of 5 or higher
are invited
to perform.
Other
students are
selected
to perform for acheivement in programs such as Composers' Today and
Improvisation.
Winter Festival is annually held in late January or February. This festival is open to all students of Branch teachers. Except for ensembles, music should be memorized.