GEMS 2026, May 14-16

RULES

information for pre-college students

GEMS 2026

1st 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. Vedrana Subotic, University of Utah, UT

Dr. Karali Hunter, Hammer and Strings Conservatory, Phoenix, AZ

Dr. Vladislav Kosminov, Hammer and Strings Conservatory, Phoenix, AZ

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.com if you have any questions or concerns.

young artIstS competition rules (2026 - TBD)

Eligibility

Open to pianists aged 19-25.

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.

pre-college competition rules (2026 - TBD)

Eligibility

Open to piano students in grades 1-12, ages 6-18.
Contestants must be residents of Idaho.

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@thekindconservatory.com
Phone: (208) 405 2007

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