Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival
Begun in 1980 by Dorothy Sutton, the Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival is an opportunity for the talented music student to participate in a State Festival Showcase Recital. To assure high standards, the student must first qualify in Local Preliminary Auditions, and must also demonstrate a minimal knowledge of music theory by passing a written theory exam with a minimum score of 85%.
DSPF Local Preliminary Auditions
General Guidelines: Students will perform two contrasting selections for one judge, and will taken a written theory test. To be eligible to perform in the LOCAL Showcase Recital, students must receive a Superior performance rating. (This is different from the State event. Refer to the STATE DSPF website for state requirements.) Pianists and vocalists must perform by memory. Memory not required for instrumentalists and organists.
- Teacher Eligibility: RMTA teachers must have paid their local/state/national dues for the current year prior to submitting applications.
- Student Eligibility: Participating students must study with an RMTA member in good standing prior to audition date, and must reside in Pennsylvania. Adult students may participate in the local auditions.
- Recital Qualification: An overall Superior rating is given if BOTH selections are deemed performance ready by the judge the day of the event.
LOCAL SOLO PIANO REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS: In an effort to encourage participation of our youngest students, there is no minimum length for repertoire for the local auditions. (This is different from the State event. Refer to the STATE DSPF website for state requirements.) Repeats are allowed and encouraged with appropriate changes in dynamics, register, etc. However, simplifications and arrangements are NOT acceptable at the intermediate and advanced levels for solo performance.