What is The Piano Guild?
Dr. Irl Allison, Sr. (1896-1979) founded the National Guild of Piano Teachers (NGPT) in 1929. He was also a pianist and held various academic positions, including Dean of Music at Rusk College and Hardin-Simmons University.
Hi, it’s Studio Director Renee Bordner here. Today, I’m writing about The Piano Guild, practicing for The Piano Guild Auditions, and how Note-worthy Experiences prepares its piano students for the auditions.
In 2019, I became a member of the Piano Guild Hall of Fame, which is why this topic is close to my heart.
What is the Piano Guild?
It is a non-profit organization that provides graded piano performance exams and awards for students of all ages and levels. Students participate by auditioning.
What are Piano Guild Auditions?
Piano students enhance their musical journey through participation in the annual Piano Guild Auditions. Piano Guild auditions are not a competition. Students are evaluated based on their individual progress and against a standard of excellence, not against other participants. Participants receive feedback. If a student passes, the students receive awards and recognition that vary depending on their level.
How does Note-worthy Experiences facilitate piano students who want to audition?
Each spring, we work with our piano students, prepping them for the Piano Guild Auditions by holding mock auditions. We help them choose music, strategize about their performance, and evaluate their mock audition by highlighting “best” and “needs-work” areas of the pieces they play.
I have prepared students for the Piano Guild for many years in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, I served as Co-Chair of the Concord Center for a period before establishing a Sudbury Chapter in 2017. The Center Chairperson is responsible for securing the location of the auditions. I have elected to host the auditions at our studio in my home. This also means that instructors from outside of our studio are also welcome to bring their students to our audition center, which does occur each year.
Essential info to know about the Piano Guild Auditions
- Students of all ages and stages are welcome to participate in the auditions.
- A student may register to play one to twenty pieces for the Judge.
- A student must register in advance with an instructor who is a member of the Piano Guild, submit the payment and registration card to Piano Guild Headquarters, and provide the necessary information.
- The Guild Fee is non-refundable.
- If a student wishes to change the skill level or the number of pieces they are playing, a $10 fee applies to receive an updated certificate/report card.
- Headquarters will assign the dates and times that each instructor is allotted to have students perform for the Judge.
- The student’s instructor is then responsible for communicating with the student and parents about the assigned dates and times.
- The scheduling department at Headquarters assigns the Judge to adjudicate at a center.
- The same judge cannot return to a center for a period of three years.
According to the The Piano Guild’s syllabus and website,
The Piano Guild, as we are called (a division of the American College of Musicians), was founded in 1929 by Dr. Irl Allison. Since that time, the Guild has grown to more than 850 audition centers where thousands of students enroll annually in our international auditions, which are held throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Our primary function is to establish definite goals and awards–in noncompetitive auditions–for students of all levels, from the earliest beginner to the gifted prodigy. With the exception of our “special” programs, teachers have the flexibility to choose all repertoire for student auditions. Students are judged on individual merit, by a well-qualified music professional, in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, tone, interpretation, style, and technique. Our purpose is to encourage growth and enjoyment through the study of piano.
Students are adjudicated by an international panel of judges and receive report cards, certificates, and fraternity pins. Programs are diversified to meet the needs of both students and teachers. Programs are flexible and include repertoire as well as technical goals (musicianship phases).
What are the benefits to participating in The Piano Guild Auditions?
The Piano Guild Auditions offer students the opportunity to perform in front of one judge versus a large audience and or a panel of judges in a large university-like setting. Each student receives a score and a comment card full of constructive feedback.
The scores are private, never posted or made public.
Students can participate year after year to improve their score, increase the level of difficulty of the pieces, and/or the number of pieces performed. This practice is for students and instructors to set measurable and attainable goals each year.
I often explain to parents and childcare providers that the Piano Guild Auditions are like a third-party audit. It is a platform that enables students to receive constructive feedback, helping them to improve. It is a great stepping stone for students who wish to explore other graded systems, competitions, and festivals.
The Piano Guild welcomes both students who study piano for recreation and leisure, as well as those who intend to major or minor in music.
This year, I will be conducting a Piano Guild Prep workshop for our students. Details will be in our monthly newsletters and announced on our blog. This workshop is designed for both students new to the Piano Guild Auditions process and seasoned participants.
Keep an eye on our Music Blog to catch the announcements about the auditions.
