At Accoladi, we have spent years closely monitoring the journeys of students as they navigate the college application and audition process. Through this extensive research, we have discovered a key factor that sets certain students apart and increases their chances of acceptance into their desired schools, as well as securing the necessary scholarships: excelling in their state's All-State audition process and participating in solo performances at their state’s Solo and Ensemble Festival.

However, we also found that while these experiences provide a strong foundation, many students miss out on fully realizing their potential due to a lack of exposure to the diverse requirements of auditions on a personal and responsive level. Interestingly, our research revealed that piano students, despite not having the same opportunities for honors and awards as school ensemble performers, tend to fare better in the collegiate audition process compared to ensemble instrumentalists and vocalists.

So, what advantages do these pianists possess? They benefit from:

• Personalized, one-on-one instruction
• Regular solo performance opportunities
• Participation in multiple annual competitions since middle school
• Tangible recognition for their performances and competition achievements
• Well-rounded knowledge of general music theory and history
• Strong sight-reading and oral dictation skills

Inspired by these findings, Accoladi teamed up with ScholarshipAuditions.com to create an innovative program that provides school ensemble members with the same advantages enjoyed by pianists. This collaboration led to the creation of the National Scholastic Musicians Awards.

The National Scholastic Musicians Awards are specifically designed for band, choir, and orchestra members. These awards, divided into four divisions, celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of students as solo performers. The requirements for each level of the awards are directly aligned with collegiate audition standards across the country. Our aim is to provide a systematic, progressive path for success in collegiate auditions, ensuring continuous growth and rich rewards for participating students.

As a music educator, we strongly encourage you to explore the multi-level awards available at NationalScholasticMusiciansAwards.com and encourage your students to participate. By embracing this opportunity, you can expect to witness significant growth in performance proficiency and musicianship within your own program, while also nurturing the individual musical journeys of your students.

Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your students' potential, foster their musical growth, and pave the way for their success in collegiate auditions. Join us in this exciting endeavor by visiting NationalScholasticJuniorMusiciansAwards and NationalScholasticMusiciansAwards today!

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