​Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival (DSPF): Begun
in 1980 by Dorothy Sutton, the DSPF is an opportunity for the talented music student to participate in a State Festival.  To assure high standards at the state Showcase Recitals, the student must first qualify in Local Preliminary auditions, and must also demonstrate a minimal knowledge of music theory by passing a written exam. Local auditions are held at Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center. Each student will perform two pieces for a judge and take a written theory test.  Details are available online at www.pamusicteachers.org and on entry forms. 

Music Achievement Award for Graduating Seniors:  
The MAAGS monetary award honors and recognizes those students who have studied music throught their senior year in high school and have been active participants in PMTA-WC and MTNA events.  In order for the student to be eligible for this award, certain criteria for the student and teacher must be met. 

The teacher of the student(s) must be a paid member of MTNA and PMTA-WC and must demonstrate involvement in the chapter by one of the following:


  • being a PMTA-WC officer for 2 years during the student's 4 high school years
  • chairing 2 events during the student's 4 high school years
  • assisting at 2 chapter-sponsored events each year during the student's 4 high school years
  • attending at least 3 meetings each year during the student's 4 high school years
  • holding a state PMTA board postition during the student's 4 high school years


The graduating senior must:


  • have participated in 6 PMTA-WC or MTNA sponsored activities through grades 9-12, 4 of which must be non-recital venues (these activities must be completed by January of their Senior year).
  • provide documentation from the above sponsored activities (see application for specific documentation requested).
  • write an essay describing what the study of his/her instrument and participating in PMTA events has meant to them
  • participate in the MAAGS Recital (preferred, not required)


Click for MAAGS application.

Student Opportunities

Music Teachers

Composition Contest: The Composition Contest inspires students and member teachers to write music.  Both student and teacher compositions are critiqued by a music professional and awards are given for the first and second place in each of the four student categories:  Primary (Grades 1-3), Elementary (Grades 4-6), Junior (Grades 7-9), Senior (Grades 10-12).  The minimum measure length is 8 measures for primary, 16 measures for elementary and junior, and 32 measures for senior (repeats do not count as measures). Teacher compositions have a one movement maximum.  Further guidelines are available on the entry form.

Recitals:  The Westmoreland Chapter sponsors recitals throughout the year for students of our member teachers.  Students of all members are encouraged to participate.

Guidelines for Formal Recitals:  Solo pianists and vocalists must perform from memory; instrumentalists may use music.  Repertoire is to be in its original form, except for duets, folk songs, vocalists and instrumentalists.  While vocalists and instrumentalists may of necessity need to use arrangements, teachers are asked to use discretion to eliminate anything less than high quality.  Each piece must be played in its entirety, unless the piece has more than one movement.  In this case, it is permissible to play one or more movements.  No pop music is permitted on Formal Recital programs.

Photocopies may only be used where permissible by law.  (for instance, to facilitate a page turn)

Each teacher may only enter 10 minutes of performance time per recital.  Teachers will submit their entries by the stated deadline for each recital.  Entries will include:  performer’s name and age/level, title of the piece(s), composer, and performance time of the piece.  Forms are available for this purpose.  Teachers are also responsible for enforcing the memorization rule with their own students.  Teachers are encouraged to attend the recitals.

Guidelines for Informal Recitals:  Arrangements and pop music are permitted for these recitals, and music does NOT have to be memorized.  Again, photocopies are NOT permitted!  At some informal recitals each teacher will schedule his/her own studio’s performance time and must organize (and attend) his/her own programs.  In this case, teachers are reminded to include a “sponsored by PMTA-WC” note on the programs.  Consult the calendar of events and newsletter for more details. 

Questions about recitals should be directed to the Recital Chair.​

Sonatina enrollment2024.pdfSonatina Competition:  The annual Sonatina Competition rewards excellence in performance of Sonatina/Sonata literature.  There are 12 levels of Sonatinas/Sonatas for this annual competition, chosen and distributed in the spring prior to the fall competition.  Each year there is a new goal for which students may strive.  We encourage and reward all participants at all levels with a participation ribbon.  

Special recognition is given to outstanding students through 1st and 2nd prizes at the Honor’s Recital.  First place awardees receive a ribbon and $25, and second place awardees receive a ribbon and $20.  All students who have earned “Honorable Mention” receive special “Honorable Mention” ribbons.

We strive to select the most qualified judges possible.  We use judges from outside our chapter and try to use PMTA members as much as possible.  Judges are given general guidelines for choosing the A and B performers for the Honors Recital and awarding Honorable Mentions.  They hold the ultimate responsibility for determining these places.

All judging decisions are final.  Any student, parent, or teacher confronting or arguing with a judge, Sonatina Chairperson or Committee Member regarding the judges’ decision will result in the student’s ineligibility to participate in the contest the following year.

The true value of this competition is in the preparation of the music and in the performance experience, rather than in the goal of winning an award.

Sonatina Guidelines

Reading these guidelines will familiarize you with how the competition runs.  If you enter students, you must be available to work the event.  Teacher help is needed from approximately 11:15-3:30 for judging, with the recital beginning at 4 pm.  The Sonatina Competition is held on a Sunday in October.  As soon as we know the exact date, you will be sent an email.  We generally do not know the exact date until late summer, when we get confirmation from Seton Hill University.

THE ENROLLMENT FORM MUST BE POSTMARKED by the due date listed in the calendar of events. NO ENTRIES will be accepted after this date and there are NO REFUNDS after this date.

The teacher must make out ONE CHECK to PMTA-WC and enclose with the enrollment form. Any checks from students will NOT BE ACCEPTED.  NO EXCEPTIONS.   The fee is $20 per student. It is recommended that you collect the fees early to have them ready for the September deadline. There are NO REFUNDS once you have sent in your enrolment form.

A student may enter in any level and is not required to advance from last year.  They may even play in a lower level than last year.  Choose the sonatina that best suits the capabilities of the student.  Students may enter ONLY ONE level of competition.  A teacher may enter as many students as they wish in any particular level.

In each level the judge may decide 2 students to play in the Honors Recital to be held later in the day. Additional students may be chosen to receive Honorable Mentions awards.  The name of the students chosen to play in the Honors Recital will be announced and posted.  There are NO first and second place winners in the preliminary judging in the competition, only a classification of A or B.

Students chosen to appear in the Honor’s Recital (Performer A and Performer B) are REQUIRED TO PERFORM.   It is recommended that teachers enter only students (and parents) who agree to honor this commitment.  The Honors Recital is a Competition from which first and second place winners will be chosen. All students entering will receive a Participation Ribbon.  First place winners will also receive $25 and a Rosette Ribbon.  Second place winners will receive $20 and a Rosette Ribbon.  Honorable Mentions will receive an Honorable Mention Ribbon.

ALL MUSIC is to be performed from MEMORY.   Failure to memorize will disqualify a student.  Students are to bring their music to the competition for the judges and will be judged on the edition from which they learned.  The use of photocopied material is prohibited and the contestant will automatically be eliminated. Students may use their teacher’s books so they have a “clean” copy but must bring that original music to the competition.

There is no warming up in the judging room.

Click for the current sonatina list, student letter and enrollment form.