Rules, Regulations, and Adjudication
To view prizes and repertoire, please see the Divisions and Repertoire section of the website.
Rules
*** Please note: Applicants and their teachers are responsible for reviewing the information contained herein and abiding by all rules, regulations, and repertoire requirements. All decisions made by the SAM Artistic Director regarding schedule, qualification, and disqualification are final.
Important Dates
February 1st, 2022 - Applications and fees due
February 15th, 2022 - Last day to submit applications with $20 late fee
March 15, 2022 - Deadline to submit recordings
Video Recording Guidelines
For the 2022 Digital Competitions download video requirements here: Video Recording Guidelines
ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open to anyone who is a resident of the United States at the time of application. The competition will take place digitally in 2022.
Former first place winners are not eligible to compete in the same division again.
An applicant may enter more than one division provided each application is made in accordance with the age requirements and other regulations.
COVID UPDATE: for the 2022 competitions, this rule does not apply. (The teachers of applicants participating in the Primary through Senior divisions must be members of the Society of American Musicians.)
Age requirements per division: *Age is determined by your age on February 1st 2022.
Age 19 and younger: SENIOR division (cello, flute, guitar, piano, viola, violin)
Age 16 and younger: INTERMEDIATE division (cello, flute, guitar, piano, viola, violin)
Age 13 and younger: JUNIOR division (cello, flute, guitar, piano, viola, violin)
Age 10 and younger: PRIMARY division (cello, piano, violin)
APPLICATION and FEE REQUIREMENTS
Applications and fees are due by February 1st, 2022.
Applications submitted after February 1st will incur an additional late fee of $20. Applications will not be accepted after February 15th.
Applicants applying for more than one division/instrument must complete a separate application for each division, and pay the appropriate fees for each application.
There are NO refunds for Application fees, except when a division is cancelled by the SAM. If this should occur, the SAM will notify you.
CANCELLATION
If fewer than three contestants enter any division, the competition will be cancelled and application fees will be refunded.
Adjudication and Regulation Procedures
Adjudication
Any and all decisions made by the judges are final. If, in any division, the judges decide that no contestant is sufficiently qualified to receive an award, no award will be given.
Judges have the right to limit contestants’ playing times.
Judges are prohibited from judging their own students.
COMPETITION & WARM-UP SCHEDULES
(NOTE: This Does not apply to 2022 Digital competitions)
Contestants and their teachers will receive an email with information about the competition schedule.
Contestants are not allowed to change or request times.
Contestants are not guaranteed a warm-up time with their collaborative pianist.
Any contestant found warming up on the premises in a room and/or at a time that has not been assigned to them by the Artistic Director will be automatically disqualified.
DISQUALIFICATION
Participants will be automatically disqualified under the following circumstances:
If the performer plays with accompaniment: the 2022 competitions prohibit the use of accompanists or accompaniment recordings.
Any participant found warming up on the competition premises in a room and/or time that has not been assigned to them by the Artistic Director
Failure to bring two clean copies of their music to the competition where required (please see repertoire requirements for more information)
Appearance of the participant’s or their teacher’s name on the copies of music
Performing the incorrect repertoire.
If the participant is found to have exceeded the age eligibility.
Not following repertoire requirements regarding memorization and repeats. (Please see repertoire requirements for specific guidelines)