INSTRUMENTAL COMPETITION
​
CNYAMT is pleased to offer an annual instrumental competition, comprised of two divisions - intermediate and senior. The competition is open to all instrumentalists, including winds, brass, percussion and string players, ages 10-18. This aim of the competition is to offer students wonderful performing opportunities, constructive comments from professional judges and a chance to "warm up" their NYSSMA pieces. Winners will receive cash prizes. We hope to encourage students to reach their musical potential, and to cultivate confidence through new musical experiences.
Please complete this PHOTO RELEASE FORM and return to the chairperson of the competition.
Entry Fees (non-refundable):
Please submit payments by PayPal below
-
$35.00 for students whose teachers are current CNYAMT members.
-
$45.00 for students whose teachers are not current members of CNYAMT.
2026
Instrumental
Competition
Saturday, May 2, 2026
​
Winners' Recital, Sunday, May 3, 2026
​
Park Central Presbyterian Church
504 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, NY
​
Competition Chairpersons
​
Dana DiGennaro - 315-254-9995
email: danadigennaro@gmail.com
​
James Krehbiel - 315-445-9390
email: krehbiel775@gmail.com
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR 2025 INSTRUMENTAL COMPETITION
Saturday, May 3, 2025
​
Winners' Recital, Sunday, May 4, 2025
​
Park Central Presbyterian Church
504 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, NY
​​​​Senior Winds
1st Place - Willis Lesser, clarinet, student of John Friedrichs
2nd Place - Andrea Iqbal, flute, student of Stephanie Mata-Mercado
Senior Strings
1st Place - Colin Chin, cello, (Winner - CNYAMT Senior Scholarship Competition), student of Pam Devenport
2nd Place - Daniel Yang, violin, student of Peter Rovit
3rd Place - Nagi Aitbayeva, violin, student of James Krehbiel
Honorable Mention - Eve Clark, violin, student of Noemi Miloradovic
Intermediate
1st Place - Haya Park, violin, student of Laura Smith
2ndPplace - Heim Park, cello, student of Greg Wood
Honorable Mention - Ethan Lavallee, violin, student of Joan Batson
Honorable Mention - Ian Clark, viola, student of Arvilla Wendland.
​
Thank you to our judges: Rosemary Elliot, cello and Blaire Koerner, bassoon.
CNYAMT is committed to the longevity of the Instrumental Competition. We are humbly asking for your assistance in order for us to sustain the financial health of this competition. We believe the opportunity for our students to perform and receive valuable comments from professional musicians, as well as the opportunity for them to perform in our Winners Recital, is pivotal for the growth of our young musicians. If you believe in our mission, please consider making a donation to the organization. Every dollar counts! Your support will ensure that the CNYAMT Instrumental Competition remains on our calendar moving forward. Please accept our deepest gratitude for those of you willing to join us in keeping the Instrumental Competition thriving. Thank you!
To Donate via PayPal - Click here:
VENMO - Send your donation to @MaryEllen-DiPietra.
In the comment, include the program to which you'd like to donate.
​
CHECK - Send to: Mary Ellen DiPietra
4312 Lazybrook Cir.
Liverpool, NY 13088.
In the note, include the program to which you'd like to donate.
​
Competition Guidelines: Please read carefully.
-
Auditions are open to families, but closed to teachers. Teachers may listen from outside the sanctuary at Park Central Presbyterian Church.
-
Accompaniment is required. Contestants must provide their own accompanist.
-
Contestants must provide one original solo part or accompaniment part of all repertoire to the judges. (No photo copies allowed)
-
Memorization is recommended, but not required. In case of a tie, the advantage will be given to the applicant performing from memory.
-
Students must reside in Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Oneida, Cayuga, Thompson, or Cortland counties to be entered in the competition.
-
All Winners commit themselves to performing on the winner’s recital, Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 7:00 PM at Park Central Presbyterian Church.
-
Monetary awards will be given, depending upon enrollment, up to a maximum of three places per division.
-
Information about competition day details and final results will be given to teachers only, by e-mail or telephone.
-
Prior intermediate division winners will be required to move up to the next division regardless of grade. Senior division winners may compete again in the senior division after a one year break from the competition.
-
Rules set forth on this page will be strictly enforced.