Golden Key Music Festival: Piano Composition Competition: How to Apply

How to Apply

To apply for entry into the 2013 competition:

Download the Composition Competition Application Form in either Word Format or PDF Format.
Fill out the required information. Instructions are part of the download.
Enclose a check/money order made out to Golden Key Music Festival for the application fee(s).
Send the composition manuscript, completed form, and entry fee(s) to:
Golden Key Music Festival
81 Five Points Rd.
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
United States of America.

Applications must be postmarked by January 2, 2013.

Electronic versions of the Application Form and composition manuscript may be sent via email to: goldenkeyfest@gmail.com instead of regular mail.

Application Fees

The application fees are as follows:

National (must be resident of the United States): $65 for each person/entry of a composition
International: $85 for each person/entry of a composition
Combined (submitted simultaneously to the Competition in both the National and International Divisions: $150.

If a composer is submitting more than one composition, a separate fee for each composition is required. All payments should be made out to Golden Key Music Festival.

Payment can be made using the following options:

check/money order
via bank transfer or Western Union system

If you prefer to use the second option, please contact the Golden Key Music Festival for more information.

All application fees are due at the time of application and no later than January 2, 2013.

NOTE: All fees are non-refundable.

Composition Requirements

The following composition requirements must be met or the application may be disqualified.

A composition must have a title.
The performance time of the composition must be no longer than seven minutes.
The composition manuscript must be a fully realized score, completely notated by the composer. The manuscript must be in the form of a computer printout or handwritten.
The name of the student-composer or teacher must not appear on the score. No change may be made to the manuscript once it has been submitted.
A composition that includes copyrighted text must be accompanied by a written statement from the copyright holder giving permission to use the text. If the text is in the public domain, a statement signed by the teacher and student indicating this fact must accompany the entry.

Although it is not required, a composer may include a CD or DVD performance of the composition with the application.

Manuscript(s) of the composition(s) will not be returned to the contestant.

World Young Composers' Recitals & Diplomas

The winners of the Piano Composition Competition are welcome to perform their pieces and to receive their diplomas and commemorative medals on stage at the World Young Composers' Recitals as part of the Golden Key Music Festival: Vienna. Information about the Vienna Festival is available elsewhere on this site.

If a winner is not able to participate in the Golden Key Music Festival:Vienna, he/she may request a professional pianist to present the composition in the World Young Composers' Recital for an extra fee of $300.00.

Diplomas that are not accepted at the Vienna Festival will be mailed via USPS First Class. If you wish to have your Diploma sent by Certified Mail, FedEx, or some other guaranteed delivery service, please include an additional $45 for Diplomas sent within the US or $75 for Diplomas sent outside the US.

Performance and special delivery fees are payable to the Golden Key Music Festival by March 1, 2013.