Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Recital #26 --- Call For Submissions

Recital #26 is now open for submissions!

Believe it or not, our 26th quarterly Piano World Adult Beginners Forum recital approaches! The recital will be posted some time on the 15th of May, which means that the submissions must be in by 9:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, May 14. Please note this deadline is very firm; I cannot start working on the recital until it is closed, and once it is closed, no new entries can be added.

While any and all styles of music are welcome, we do ask that it be piano related. Only one recording may be submitted per forum member (although that recording may consist of a medley of two or more very short related pieces).

If you are fairly new to the piano, please do not be intimidated by some of the talent here in the ABF. We all consider ourselves to be beginners even though we may have been playing for some time. And, we LOVE to hear recordings from folks new to the keyboard. So even if you’re on your first Alfred’s method book, we would *really* enjoy hearing from you.

Recital submissions must be in MP3 format. The maximum size of the file is 20 MB. We recommend encoding the recording at 192 kbs with a constant bitrate, as that works best with the online streaming player. At that bitrate, a 20 MB file works out to be about 7 minutes in length. Your recording will be normalized when placed in the consolidated zip files, but your original link will still be available for those who want it.

If you are new to recording your music, there are several threads in the forum archives that address the ways and means. See the "Important Topics in the AB Forum" thread stickied at the top of the AB forum page. Audacity is an excellent free recording application that can be used.

Submitting Your Recording:

We will be using again the absolutely marvelous automatic web-based recital program that mahlzeit wrote for us. You will upload your mp3 file to the recital server as part of the recital submission process.

When you have your mp3 file ready, go to:

https://recitals.pianoworld.com/

and follow the instructions there. Please note that this URL reflects our new permanent home for all the recital files. Once you have uploaded your info to the automated recital software, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. You will have the opportunity to revise your submission any time up until the deadline. If you have any problems at all using the new website, or if you do not receive a confirmation e-mail within a few hours, just PM me. If you have not participated in past recitals using this software, you may want to submit your recital piece at least a day in advance in case you run into any problems with it. (Though there should be no problems. Mahlzeit is a genius. )

Mahlzeit's website will use the following submission template to be filled out along with your attached music file. You may want to have your responses to these fields prepared in advance so all you have to do is cut and paste:

Performer's Name: {forum ID and real name if you’d like}
Where you are located: {optional}
Avatar image link: {optional}
Experience: {Yrs/Mos of piano playing experience}
Link to YouTube or other video: {optional}
Home page link: {optional}
Title of piece/composer:
Source of music: {sheet music, improvised score, play-by-ear, etc}
Instrument used: {Piano make, keyboard model, etc.}
Recording method: {audacity, Zoom, digital to PC, etc.}
Constructive technical feedback wanted: {Yes/No}
Additional Info: {Your thoughts on the piece, what you had for lunch, etc.}


The due date for all submissions is 9:00 pm US EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME on May 14, 2012.

Did I mention that the 9:00 pm deadline was firm?

Think "consistency of concrete."

By submitting a piece to the recital, you are certifying that it is a recording of your own performance.

Again, the recital order will be presented in the order the pieces were received, so the sooner you send in your piece, the higher you will be on the list! You can revise your entries on the template (e.g., thoughts about your piece, adding YouTube links, and the like) any time and not lose your place in the recital queue, but if you resubmit your recording at any time, for any reason, you will be bumped to the end of the list.

Should anyone have any questions at all on what to do or how to do it, this is the place to ask. Remember, there are NO stupid questions, as we have a steady flow of new members in AB forum for whom this is their first recital, so your questions will probably help to eliminate other members’ problems. Please ask away!

Let's all go out and brave that Red Dot and share a lot of beautiful music!

Roll on May 15th. I'm in at number 3 ... yes, it was a real race to get in first

Congrats to Hawgdriver on getting in first! I can't wait to hear it! I'm still note sure whether I'll be submitting anything, but I'll definitely be listening

Wow, I thought I might be first by submitting so early and ended up being #9.

I think Hawgdriver actually DID camp out! hehe.

Monica the new format looks great by the way.

*shakes fist at Andy Platt*

Beating me to the deadline again with the same piece, Mr. Platt, hmmm?

I tried to record it today, but I'm just not ready for it. Either the fast part gets me or I get through it and get distracted and play the most innocuous note incorrectly.

*glares at both Beethoven and Mr. Platt*

It was quite the bit of good luck, it had just popped up. I wasn't really checking it that often this evening. I'm not sure how soon after it was posted that I submitted, but it couldn't have been more an a few minutes. Now that I'm in the spotlight, so to speak, I wish I had done a better job with the music.

But, it's not a contest! It's music!

Stop being overly humble hawgdriver! I'm sure it's great. Did you end up being able to record it on an acoustic?

Sam, sorry to disappoint, but I haven't been able to get a good recording on an acoustic. I wanted to, but life is definitely in the way. I am linking to the video of my playing on Glen's Steinway, but there are a couple obvious mistakes and the final run is .. well, a train wreck, frankly. But I am somewhat satisfied with the digital, it has a suitable dreamy quality even if it lacks the humanity of an acoustic.

Life is definitely in the way of piano right now. I don't think I'll be offering many comments until June. Had my final trial (mock trial) for my trial practice class yesterday, then 4 law finals, followed by CFA3 test on my birthday, June 2nd. Can't wait for summer, if I'm still alive. #StudyPainCave

I'm in at 11! Now I can relax until May 15th. I can't wait to hear everyone's submissions. I always add to my list of "I've got to play that!" after the AFB recitals.

Such an obscure piece, who would have thought it?!

So what does the 9th mouse get?

I'm in at #16 - so many people were eager to go this time! Looking forward to hearing some great performances.

Sam

It sure does, doesn't it? I can't take the credit for it, though; Sam S. did the heavy programming.

I'm banking on the "last but not least rule" since I won't get to recording til the weekend. Looking forward to hearing your fine music. Glass of wine and kick back to listen on the 15th (oh good finals will be done by then)

I'm in!

Unfortunately, he gets snapped just like the first mouse. You have to be an even numbered mouse to get the previous mouses cheese. Luck of the draw I guess.

Then you are in Luck!! You have been moved to #8. Squeek, squeek.

Just recorded about 20 versions .

Spent 1.5 hours choosing which one to submit - not a single one is perfect .

Had to take a voluntary decision...

Now, I can relax and wait until the 15th

I’m in, and I wanted to thank you all who make possible this recital, both organizers and interpreters. It’s really a fantastic experience to take part in this recital.

I'm currently working on Chopin Waltz in A minor posthumous but I'm not confident that it'll be ready for the recital.

It turned out a lot harder than it initially seemed. I'm about halfway through it and still working on the more challenging fast parts of the piece.

Anyways, wish me luck that I'll manage to submit a recording of it before the deadline.