Guidelines

Eligibility

• All participants must be in grades K–12 during the current school year. Participants may be from public, public charter, private, and home schools.
• The 2027 Music Olympics is in person only.
• Mixing grade levels, instruments, and schools on a team is encouraged, but not required.

Teams

• A team has at least 2 and up to 12 participants. Teams of more than 12 need approval. Contact 808musicolympics@gmail.com to request approval.
• Each participant may compete on only one team. Joining more than one team needs approval. Contact 808musicolympics@gmail.com to request approval.
• Each team is registered by one contact person (a teacher, director or parent/guardian), who passes information on to the young musicians and their families.

Divisions

• Each team competes in one division, chosen on the registration form.
• Teams with all members in grades K–8 may enter either the Junior or the Senior Division.
• Teams with any member in grades 9–12 enter the Senior Division. If every 9th–12th grader on the team has played their instrument for 2 years or less, you may request the Junior Division on the registration form, and we'll review the request.

Events

• Event: Ensemble, in the Junior and Senior Divisions. There is no solo event in 2027. The Note Naming and Music Trivia games are coming in 2028.
• This year we're focusing on small ensembles. An ensemble is a group of 2 to 6 players: duets, trios, quartets, quintets, and sextets all compete together in the Ensemble event for their division.
• Every team member must play in at least one ensemble, and may play in up to two. More than two needs approval. Contact 808musicolympics@gmail.com to request approval.
• A team may enter as many ensembles as its members can fill. For example, a team of 10 might enter a trio, a quartet, and another trio (all 10 members), plus a sextet made up of 6 of those members.

Performance

• Maximum performance time is 10 minutes for ensembles of 2–5 players and 15 minutes for a sextet (6 players).
• All pieces must be accompanied (by piano, recorded or electronic accompaniment, or other musically appropriate instruments) unless the score lists the accompaniment as optional or the piece is unaccompanied. Performances without appropriate accompaniment can't receive a prize. Funding isn't currently available for accompanist fees.
• A young musician who plays an accompaniment part isn't eligible for an award for that performance.
• An ensemble missing parts will still be heard and rated, but can't receive a prize.
• Up to two digital pianos are available per event: Yamaha P515B, with X-stand, bench, and sustain pedal. A quality digital piano or keyboard may be used in place of an acoustic piano, including for accompanists.
• Each ensemble may have one conductor, with approval at least 14 days before the Music Olympics. Contact 808musicolympics@gmail.com to request approval.
• In an emergency, an eligible participant may replace an ensemble member after registration, as long as they haven't already entered the maximum number of events and they meet all other guidelines. Contact 808musicolympics@gmail.com to request approval.

Music

• Add your pieces (title, composer, arranger, length, and accompanist) on your team link by February 15, 2027. Full-score PDFs for the adjudicators are also required, with numbered measures; uploading them will be added to the team link soon.
• Any piece on a state-approved Solo & Ensemble Music List may be performed.
• Scores must be copyright compliant. Photocopies are only allowed in an emergency (the music is out of print, or purchased copies are backordered) with written proof, such as a receipt, purchase order, or a statement from the supplier.
• E-print music must be labeled or come with a receipt showing it isn't a photocopy. Public domain music must clearly show its public domain copyright date and a note of its source.
• Performances without a copyright-compliant score or approved written proof can't take part.
• Unpublished original compositions and unpublished arrangements of public domain music may be allowed. Contact 808musicolympics@gmail.com to request approval.
• Music selections may be changed with approval at least 14 days before the Music Olympics. Changes that aren't approved may result in disqualification. Contact 808musicolympics@gmail.com to request approval.

Adjudication & awards

• Participants are adjudicated by professional musicians and/or music educators using the Music Olympics rubrics.
• Written comments are emailed to participants. Not every judge may give written or verbal comments.
• After each category (for example, Junior Ensemble), the judging panel ranks the top 5 performances. All decisions by the judging panel are final.
• Awards in each category: 1st place, gold medal. 2nd place, silver medal. 3rd place, bronze medal. 4th and 5th places, certificates. Awards are subject to change.
• Award categories: Junior Ensemble and Senior Ensemble. Each category awards 1st through 5th place.
• Superlative awards will also be given. The categories will be announced before the competition. There are no team awards in 2027.
• A designated person from each team must be at the awards ceremony after the competition to pick up all of the team's awards.

Coaching

• Interested teams can receive up to two (2) free 60-minute coaching sessions, depending on available funding. Let us know on the registration form.
• Priority is given to participants who don't currently take private lessons on the instrument they're registering with.

Registration, fees & forms

• Registration opens January 1, 2027 and is free through February 1, 2027.
• Late registration runs February 2, 2027 – February 15, 2027, with a late fee of $10.00 per entry.
• Each member's parent/guardian signs the Student/Parent Authorization & Release Form and the Media Release Form online. We email them a link after you register.
• Registration closes February 15, 2027. After that, late entries may be accepted if space is available, and the late fee applies. Contact 808musicolympics@gmail.com to request approval.

Instruments that may participate

Voice, violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, ukulele, harp, piano, piccolo, flute, alto flute, bass flute, contrabass flute, oboe, English horn, bassoon, contrabassoon, Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, cornet, piccolo trumpet, trumpet, flugelhorn, horn, tenor trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion.

Don't see your specific instrument? Contact 808musicolympics@gmail.com to request approval.