RULES

GEMS 2026 

2nd Annual Piano Festival and Competition

May 14 - 16th, 2026

INFORMATION FOR PRE-COLLEGE STUDENTS

AUDITIONS

Auditions will take place on campus at Idaho State University in Pocatello. 

Stephens Performing Arts Center 

1002 Sam Nixon Drive

We will be using three venues. Jensen Grand Concert Hall, Bistline Theater, Black Box Theater

AUDITION TIMES

Check with your teacher for your audition time. 

Every effort has been made to accommodate special requests.

ARRIVAL

Be at least 10 minutes early for auditions.

Give the monitor a cell phone number where you can be reached.

Late students will have to forfeit their auditions or will be rescheduled during cancellations, if time is available.

PRACTICE FACILITIES

Warm-up times will be scheduled on available practice pianos prior to your audition.

PRINTED MUSIC

Bring a copy of your music for the adjudicator for Preliminary Auditions.

You do not need to bring music for the Competition Finals.

MEASURE NUMBERS

Measure numbers must be written in all music.

AUDITION PIANOS

Auditions in Jensen and Bistiline will be on Steinway D Concert Grand Pianos. Black Box - Kawai baby grand. 

  FINALIST UPDATES

Finalist updates will be available immediately via Snap Audition. 

COMPETITION FINALS

Saturday, May 16, Jensen Grand Concert Hall

3:00 pm – Primary, Elementary, and Intermediate 1

6:30 pm – Intermediate 2, Advanced 1 and 2

ATTIRE

Preliminary Auditions and Competition Finals are in a formal concert setting. 

Girls – Sunday dress or modest attire, comfortable dress shoes, NO boots or flip-flops 

Boys – Slacks and dress shirt, tie recommended, dress shoes, NO tennis or

athletic shoes

ADJUDICATORS

Dr. Cahill Smith,  Utah State University, UT 

Dr. Renato Fabbro, Pacific International Piano Competition,  Portland, OR

Dr. Carmen Hall, Utah Tech University, UT

AWARDS CEREMONIES

Awards ceremonies will take place at the conclusion of each of the Competition Finals (approximately 4:30 pm and 9:00 pm)

ADJUDICATION Feedback

Adjudication feedback is available at Snap Audition. 

CONTACT

Text or call Marissa Faerber at 208.405.2007 or email info@kindconservatory.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Eligibility

• Open to piano students in grades 1-12, ages 6-18.  

• Contestants must be residents of Idaho. 

• Age limit in divisions: 

  1.  Primary - up to 7

  2. Elementary - up to 9

  3. Intermediate 1 - up to 11

  4. Intermediate 2 - up to 14

  5. Advanced 1 - up to 16

  6. Advanced 2 - up to 18

Repertoire (see suggested repertoire)

• Preliminary Auditions: Contestants must perform two memorized solo pieces from two different major historical eras. 

• Only copyrighted, published music is allowed.

• Concerti are not permitted.

• Movements from sonatas, sonatinas, or suites count as one piece.

• Repeats in the music may be omitted.

Audition Time Limits

• Primary - Intermediate II: Maximum 10 minutes per performance.

• Advanced I & II: Maximum 15 minutes per performance.

General Information

• Fee: $45

• Final decisions on performance levels will be made by the competition directors, ensuring the best fit for each contestant.

• Memorization is required for all performances.

• An original copy of the music must be provided to the adjudicator. The teacher’s markings are acceptable but must include measured numbers.

• Students and teachers do not need to belong to a specific musical organization to qualify.

Competition Finals

• Finalists will perform one memorized piece in an open concert setting.

• The teachers will select the final piece after the preliminary audition.

• Pieces longer than 8 minutes may be subject to abridgment for the finals.

For more information, please contact:
Email:  info@kindconservatory.org
Phone: (208) 405 2007

Eligibility

• Open to pianists aged 19-25. Reserved for older collegiate or early professional musicians. 

• Contestants must be residents of Idaho. 

• Fee: $55

Repertoire

• Contestants must perform a 20-30 minute recital program.

• Selections should showcase technical skill, musical expression, and stylistic diversity.

Prizes

• 1st Place: $1,500

• 2nd Place: $1,250

• 3rd Place: $1,000

General Information

• All performances must be memorized.

• Original copies of music are required for the adjudicators.

• The repertoire should include works from multiple stylistic periods, highlighting the contestant’s versatility.

Purpose
This policy recognizes two realities: competition affects access to opportunities, and competition can create stress for students. 

KIND Conservatory's responsibility is not to eliminate competition, but to make sure students are supported before, during, and after competitive events.

Policy Statement
Competition results may affect scholarships, discounts, placement, and other opportunities. At the same time, no single result will be treated as a complete measure of a student’s ability, character, or long-term potential.

Student anxiety related to competition will be treated as a legitimate concern requiring timely and practical support.

School Commitments
The school will:

1. communicate clearly about what competitions do and do not determine

2. monitor students for signs of unusual stress before and after major competitions

3. provide direct support when stress begins to interfere with preparation, health, or recovery

4. ensure that students who do not achieve a desired result receive follow-up guidance and a next-step plan

5. avoid language that treats one competition result as a final judgment on a student’s future

Required Support Measures
For any major competition tied to scholarships, discounts, or significant placement:

Before the competition

• each student must have a realistic preparation plan

• each student must know who to contact if pressure becomes unmanageable

• faculty must raise concerns early if a student shows signs of overload

After the competition

• each student must receive a short debrief

• the debrief must address outcome, lessons, and next steps

• students who experience significant distress must be offered an additional follow-up meeting

Parent Communication Expectations
Parents will be asked to:

• report unusual stress early

• avoid treating one result as proof of success or failure

• focus conversations on preparation, recovery, and next steps

Student Support Trigger
A student support response should be initiated when a student shows one or more of the following:

• panic or severe anxiety before a competition

• major sleep disruption

• shutdown, avoidance, or inability to prepare

• extreme self-criticism after results

• prolonged distress after the event

Response Process
When a concern is raised:

1. the concern is acknowledged within 2 business days

2. a staff member meets with the student and/or family

3. an action plan is set, which may include adjusted preparation expectations, a recovery period, or follow-up support

4. a post-event check-in is scheduled when needed

Competition-Linked Financial Awards
Awards such as the 30% tuition discount for GEMS finalists recognize a specific competitive outcome. They do not represent a complete judgment of a student’s value or future promise. The school will communicate this distinction clearly in all competition-related materials.

Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to assess whether competition-related support is timely, clear, and effective.