Dates and Locations

All piano teachers are welcome to enter their students, grades K – 12 in JME Evaluations. Our next event will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at these locations:

  • Southwest Ohio – Loveland Music Academy
  • Northern Kentucky – Northern Kentucky University
  • Nashville, Tennessee – Liberty United Methodist Church

Evaluations

Participants are evaluated by judges who are teachers like yourself.  Participants are evaluated on traditional musical criteria:  how well they play and according to the student’s age and experience, timing, dynamics, accuracy, fingering, and so on.  Students are not judged on the kind of music they play.  We believe that all forms of music should be encouraged.  On the day of the event, students receive a written evaluation certificate, with detailed, constructive comments by the evaluating teacher and a large, rosette ribbon, which corresponds to the rating they receive.

Entry Criteria

  • JME has no membership requirements or dues 
  • All piano students in grades K-12 are welcome, beginner-advanced levels
  • Students are evaluated on the music they choose and provide to the judge
  • There is a $30 entry fee per student
  • Registration Deadline is Friday, April 10, 2026

JME Rules & Waivers

Students must be entered by their piano teacher.  JME does not accept registrations/entries/fees from individual students or their parents/guardians.

It is the responsibility of the teacher, student, and parent or guardian to abide by these.
Failure to meet this responsibility may result in the disqualification of the student.

  • Each student shall pay an entry fee. All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No credits shall be given for any reason.
  • In the unlikely circumstance an event must be cancelled for any reason, the event may be rescheduled but no refunds or credits will be given.
  • It is the teacher’s responsibility to collect their students’ entry fees and submit the payment for the combined total of students entered.
  • Because the teachers are in charge of their students’ entries, it is the teacher’s responsibility to be the liaison for the student and parent/guardian and contact JME with any questions or concerns.
  • By registering for Junior Musicians Experience, you waive and release any and all claims and rights for damages you, the teacher, the parent/guardian, the student and those accompanying you, may have against Junior Musicians Experience, its employees, volunteers, or representatives for any and all injuries suffered by you, the teacher, the parent/guardian, the student, your children or family members in any activity sponsored by Junior Musicians Experience.

Student Eligibility

  • Students must be entered by their piano teacher. JME does not accept registrations/entries/fees from individual students, or parents/guardians.
  • JME assigns each student a specified playing time and location. Students’ playing times and/or locations may not be changed for any reason.
  • Students should arrive and check-in 10 minutes prior to their scheduled playing time. If a student misses their playing time, they will not be permitted to play and will not be rescheduled.
  • Parents will not be allowed in the evaluation area. Parents may not converse with judges. Parents and teachers may at no time question a judge regarding a student’s evaluation. The judge’s decision is final.
  • Students/Parents/Teachers are not permitted to make video and/or audio recordings during the evaluation or in the evaluation area.

Music Requirements

  • Pieces should not exceed 7 minutes in length. Students may choose to play one or two pieces within the time limit. Students may be stopped during the performance of any work due to the time constraints.
  • All selections should be a piano solo (no duets/duos) of any musical style, as JME does not have a list of required or accepted music.
  • Students must bring with them one published copy of each piece to be performed. Music must be provided, even if the student chooses to play from memory. Measures should be numbered. Memorization is not required.
  • No photocopied music is permitted unless accompanied by written permission from the publisher. Music downloaded from the internet must be in accordance with copyright laws. The only exception to this rule is music which is out-of-print. Single page reproductions can be used to facilitate page turns, but the appropriate published music must be present.
  • A student is not permitted to play the same piece that same student played at a previous JME (no repeat performances).

Awards

  • All cumulative and performance awards will be presented at the Awards Ceremony. Students who have earned awards and their teachers are expected to attend the Awards Ceremony.
  • In the event that an award is not picked up at the Awards Ceremony, the award will be held for 30 days. After 30 days, the award will be considered forfeited and will no longer be available. JME awards cannot be shipped or delivered.

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