HONORS PROGRAM

First Prizes – Hazel Ghazarian Skaggs Awards
Groups I, II, III and IV $200

Second Prizes – Pauline Styler Awards
Groups I, II, III and IV $150

Third Prizes – Past Presidents’ Awards
Group I – Lester B. Major Award $100
Group II – Adele Velo Award $100
Group III – Vera Wills Award $100
Group IV – Beverly Shea Award $100

Honorable Mentions
Groups I, II, III and IV

Each Award is awarded once across all age groups.

All awards are determined at the full discretion of the judges and will be presented at the conclusion of the Winners’ Recital. The judges’ decisions are final. Participants are eligible to receive more than one award but may receive First Prize one time only in their age group. Participants who have received First Prize in an age group cannot apply again to the same age group, and must wait to reapply once they have advanced to the next age group.

The PTC Honors Program Competition is open to piano students of active PTC members* with a minimum level of repertoire comparable to J.S. Bach’s Inventions or Short Preludes and based upon the following age-based groups, according to their age on February 24th, 2025:

Group I: Up to age 9
Group II: Ages 10-12
Group III: Ages 13-15
Group IV: Ages 16-18

*Please check PTC status with our membership chair, Chun Wang at ptcnymembers@gmail.com before submitting application.

Participants must submit:

1. A completed electronic application registration (link above).
2. Supporting documentation: 
   • Proof of age (scan of either a birth certificate or valid passport)
   • Scans of score(s)
     

      The application will only be considered complete once both the online form and supporting documentation (proof of age and score[s]) are submitted. If the supporting documentation is not submitted to PTCHonors@gmail.com by the application deadline, the application will be considered incomplete and result in automatic disqualification. There are no exceptions to this rule, and the application fee is non-refundable.

     
     

3.  An audition fee of $155.00 paid via PayPal, with the note labeled as the applicant’s name, on the link in the application. Fees are non-refundable, see Scholarship section for more details. 
4. After submission of application, applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions for next-steps regarding live auditions.
5. If chosen as a winner, applicants will have the honor of performing at the Winners Recital at Merkin Hall on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM. Please note that all winners, regardless of attendance, are required to purchase our complete Winners Recital Package. See Winners Recital Package section for details.

Group I: Up to age 9 

1. The minimum level of repertoire must be comparable to J.S. Bach’s Inventions or Short Preludes.
2. Students may audition with any number of pieces (a movement from a Sonata is considered one piece). 
3. The audition program may not exceed exactly 10 minutes in length without exception. Students may not enter with any piece which is longer than 10 minutes. Teachers must time all compositions. 
4. For equity purposes, auditions of more than 10 minutes will be disqualified.
   All pieces must be memorized.
5. Each candidate must attend one of the live audition dates to perform their repertoire for our judges. A designated date and time slot will be sent by the Co-Chairs in advance of the audition weekend. 

Group II-IV

1. The minimum level of repertoire must be comparable to J.S. Bach’s Inventions or Short Preludes.
2. Students may audition with no more than two pieces (a movement from a Sonata is considered one piece). 
3. The audition program may not exceed exactly 10 minutes in length without exception. Students may not enter with any piece which is longer than 10 minutes. Teachers must time all compositions. 
4. For equity purposes, auditions of more than 10 minutes will be disqualified
   All pieces must be memorized.
5. See Awards section and the 2024 Concert Program PDF on the Previous Winners’ page for repertoire suggestions.

6. Each candidate must attend one of the live audition dates to perform their repertoire for our judges. A designated date and time slot will be sent by the Co-Chairs in advance of the audition weekend.

1. Applicants will receive an assigned audition date and time from the Co-Chairs in advance of the audition weekend.
2. Applicants must arrive for their assigned audition date and time. There are no exceptions to this rule. Candidates who are a no-show for their audition will be automatically disqualified from the competition.
3. It is strongly recommended that applicants arrive early to ensure they are on the premises for their scheduled audition.
4. The live audition repertoire must match the program on the application and must not exceed 10 minutes.

1. The decision of the jury is final and not subject to questions, revisions, or appeal.
2. If any unexpected situations arise in the execution of these guidelines, the Chairs of the PTC Honors Program and the Executive Board of Vice Presidents and President will resolve such situations.
3. Primary communication with entrants is by email. The Chairs of the PTC must have accurate email addresses for entrants, parents (where applicable) and teacher/coach. Be sure to check spam/junk folders regularly for confirmations and other important information. 
4. All Prizewinners, including Honorable Mentions, have the honor of performing in Merkin Hall on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM.

1. All applicants are randomly numbered and made anonymous to the three judges, who will be selected by the Honors Program Chairs. These judges will be announced in late January 2025.
2. Applicants will receive written feedback after the judges view all video submissions. The feedback will address the following categories: tone, technique, musicality and interpretation, and any other relevant comments. Prizes are awarded solely based upon the judges’ unanimous decision. 
3. The judges’ decisions are final.

1. All awards are determined at the full discretion of the judges and will be presented at the conclusion of the Winners’ Recital. 
2. Participants are eligible to receive more than one award but may receive First Prize one time only, until they move to a higher age group.
3. If chosen as a winner, applicants will have the honor of performing at the Winners Recital at Merkin Hall on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM. Please note that all winners, regardless of attendance, are required to purchase our complete Winners Recital Package. 
4. Winners are required to purchase the complete Winners’ Recital Package through the PTC Honors Program (not through Merkin Hall), which consists of five (5) tickets to the Winners’ Recital, professional photographs, and a certificate (total cost: $200). Performers do not need a ticket. 
5. It is the responsibility of the entrant to be available for all published dates of the competitions.
6. The assigned rehearsal and performance times are final and cannot be changed.

Pauline Styler Application Fee Waivers

A limited number of scholarships covering the Honors Program application fee is available for students in financial need. For consideration, teachers must submit a one-paragraph rationale on the student’s behalf detailing their assessment of the student’s need and explaining why participation in the Honors Program would be important for the student at this time. Rationales should be emailed directly to ptchonors@gmail.com with the title “Scholarship Request.” The deadline to apply is February 21, 2025 at 12:00 noon. Requests will be evaluated on a rolling basis and decisions will be communicated to the teacher within 24 hours.

Winners Package Stipend

Limited funds are available for awardees in need of assistance in purchasing Winners Package fees. Selected students will be provided a $200.00 stipend to cover photography, ticket, and performance fees. For consideration, teachers must submit a one-paragraph rationale on the student’s behalf detailing their assessment of the student’s need and explaining why participation in the Honors Program would be important for the student at this time. Rationales should be emailed directly to ptchonors@gmail.com with the title “Winners Package Scholarship Request.” The deadline to apply is April 4th, 2025 at 12:00 noon. Requests will be evaluated on a rolling basis and decisions will be communicated to the teacher within 24 hours.