flute-1427652_960_720Advanced Contemporary Music Festival is our largest branch program. This program is the first part of a two-part event, and at times, it is also called the preliminary event. During this preliminary competition, applicants of all disciplines play in front of a panel of adjudicators for a performance spot on the Gold Medal Honors Recitals (second part) at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza stage. Repertoire is chosen from the contemporary period, and a 4-minute time limit is applied during the preliminary event. 

Contemporary Music Festival was created around the year, 2000. Goals and objectives of the festival are as follows:

  • Provide local performance opportunities for advanced students.
  • Promote the performance of contemporary-style works by composers of the last 100 years that showcase 20th 21st century compositional techniques, including: pointillism, serialism, modes and contrived scales, polyrhythm, polytonality, etc.
  • Encourage students to perform contemporary music, especially those works written in the last 50 years, (1973 or after).

Teachers entering compositions that may be doubtful at meeting either level or stylistic requirements are encouraged to submit the repertoire to the Contemporary Music Festival committee well in advance of registration for verification of eligibility.

The preliminary event of the Contemporary Music Festival is held in various venues, which will be announced before the event (see below).

Synopsis: The Advanced Contemporary Music Festival encourages the performance of Contemporary style works of the last 100 years. The composer must have been alive during the last 100 years and must exhibit 20th-21st century compositional techniques, including, pointillism, serialism, modes and contrived scales, polyrhythm, polytonality, etc.

Each year the preliminary festival is judged by a panel of three stellar adjudicators. Two to three weeks following the preliminary festival, those students scoring high enough are invited to play at the Gold Medal Festival held at the Thousand Oaks Bank of America Civic Arts Plaza.

  • Who may enter: Level 5 – Advanced Panel
  • Registration:  Opens September 1, 2023, and closes October 1, 2023, 11:59 PM.
  • Fee: $32 per entry/$36 with a day or time preference/$40 with a day and time preference.
  • Preliminary Performances:  Saturday, October 21, 2023 and Sunday, October 22, 2023
  • Venue:  Hillcrest Center for the Arts
  • Gold Medal Festival: November 5, 2023, Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Bank of America Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks

Repertoire Requirements:

Time Limit: Although pieces may be played in their entirety at the Gold Medal Festival, there is a 4-minute time limit at the preliminary event.

Music Allowed:

  • Contemporary music from the last 100 years which must exhibit 20th-21st century compositional techniques. Please refer to the Ineligible Composers List in the teacher portal for appropriate repertoire choice.
  • Repertoire using Romantic idioms, Neo-classicism, or jazz influenced is strongly discouraged, even if the composer is eligible.
  • Not all pieces listed under 20/21st Century in the CM syllabus are eligible for this festival.
  • The Bank of America Civic Arts Plaza does not permit any form of manipulations, markings, or objects placed on the piano strings. If a student is performing a composition that requires manipulation of the piano, the teacher should “edit” the piece and omit the parts that require altering the piano. However, if manipulation of strings is necessary, or is very essential to the piece, teachers should be aware that the students will NOT be allowed to play their piece at TOCAP, but can still receive a Gold Medal.

Memorization: Pianists may not use music during performance. Other disciplines may use music as is customary to their discipline.

Dress Code and Decorum
Boys:
Wear slacks with a belt and a tucked-in button-up shirt with a collar. Jackets and ties are encouraged. Wear dress shoes (preferred) or black sneakers with black socks.
Girls:
Wear a dress, a skirt with a blouse, or dress slacks with a blouse. The dress or skirt must be knee-length or longer. Wear dress shoes (preferred) or black sneakers.
Not Allowed:
Do not wear shorts, T-shirts, blue jeans, sports uniforms, tight clothing, flip-flops, Crocs, or sneakers (exception: black sneakers).

Special Instructions: Students are to number the first measure of each line of their music and bring it to the performance for the judges use. Students are to arrive no less than fifteen minutes prior to his or her group’s start time.

 Venue Information

MTAC Conejo Valley
Advanced Contemporary Music Festival

Preliminary Performances:
October 21st & 22nd, 2023

Gold Medal Festival
November 5, 2023

 Venue Information

ACMF Preliminary Performances

Hillcrest Center for the Arts
403 W Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Saturday, October 21, 2023 and Sunday, October 22, 2023

Gold Medal Honors Recital Venue Information

Thousand Oaks Bank of America Civic Arts Center
Scherr Forum Theatre
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Gold Medal Festival Recitals Date: November 5, 2023

The Gold Medal Honors Recitals will be held two weeks following the Advanced Contemporary preliminary recitals held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 and Sunday, October 22, 2023.