MMTA Programs & Competitions
MMTA Ensemble Festival
November 5, 11, 18 or 19 at various venues.
Coordinate with your partner - performance times may be requested
from a student's prospective.....
“I have been enjoying performing in the Ensemble Festival since I started playing piano with my teacher Mary Beth Millner.
Initially, playing simpler duets with my father was a great bonding experience.
Later, I began playing with other students from the Millner Studio.
As the piano duets increase in difficulty I am spending more time practicing
with my duet partners and very much enjoy building musical friendships.” Zdenek
Zdenek recently flew back from Atlanta to play with his quartet partners in June of 2021.
One of several performances that has been uploaded to YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiE9_y5yDUI (Elliott & Dad playing Beethoven's Ghost)
https://youtu.be/3_suzZzedTU (Zdenek & Neen playing Dvorak)
https://youtu.be/iAPcUU05tHo ( Evie & Mom playing Moskowski)
Coordinate with your partner - performance times may be requested
from a student's prospective.....
“I have been enjoying performing in the Ensemble Festival since I started playing piano with my teacher Mary Beth Millner.
Initially, playing simpler duets with my father was a great bonding experience.
Later, I began playing with other students from the Millner Studio.
As the piano duets increase in difficulty I am spending more time practicing
with my duet partners and very much enjoy building musical friendships.” Zdenek
Zdenek recently flew back from Atlanta to play with his quartet partners in June of 2021.
One of several performances that has been uploaded to YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiE9_y5yDUI (Elliott & Dad playing Beethoven's Ghost)
https://youtu.be/3_suzZzedTU (Zdenek & Neen playing Dvorak)
https://youtu.be/iAPcUU05tHo ( Evie & Mom playing Moskowski)
MMTA Comprehensive Piano Exams:
The MMTA piano exams are a series of eleven examinations which measure achievement. When used in combination with the MMTA theory program, they provide a comprehensive musical education.
The MMTA piano exams cover:
- Keyboard skills, including pentachords, scales, cadences, chords and arpeggios
- Technical Studies in levels 1-6
- Repertoire chosen from an approved list, including selections from various periods of music history; oral questions (levels 3-11) covering student's knowledge of their pieces
- Sight reading, including rhythmic and interval drills, short phrases
CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who completed exams in 2023:
Level One: Audrey Howard *
Level Two: Ge,orge Howard * & Arianna Nuttleman +
Level Three: Allie Wilcox *
Level Five:: Elliott Lee *, Adelaide McGreevy + & Alexandra Nuttleman *
Level Seven: Kyle Nuttleman
Level Eight: Jane Li *, Ryan Nuttleman & Micah Schoenberger +
Level Ten: Evie Stockinger *
Level Eleven: Nitya Potti +
* High Distinction + Distinction ? TBD
Students benefit from participation because these exams:
- encourage meticulous work and high performance standards
- offer a means by which teachers, parents, and students may measure achievement in musical study
- set a tangible goal toward which the student can work
- produce a sense of accomplishment that comes from pursuing challenges
- provide students an evaluation by another competent teacher; written critiques reinforce positive qualities and constructively draw attention to areas needing improvement
- assure that no aspect important to the student's musical development is being neglected
Exams are judged by trained MMTA member teachers/adjudicators.
Each component of the exam has a predetermined amount of points possible. As the student plays, the judge scores each part of the test. Points are then totaled, and each student who passes receives a grade of High Distinction, Distinction, Excellent, or Satisfactory. A non refundable fee is charged for each level.
There are monetary awards (ranging from $20 to $200) recognizing scores of High Distinction!
2023/2024 Dates TBD:
December 3 - Woodbury, K & S Studio
April 14 - Woodbury, K & S Studio
May 19 - St Paul, St Joseph's School of Music
The MMTA piano exams cover:
- Keyboard skills, including pentachords, scales, cadences, chords and arpeggios
- Technical Studies in levels 1-6
- Repertoire chosen from an approved list, including selections from various periods of music history; oral questions (levels 3-11) covering student's knowledge of their pieces
- Sight reading, including rhythmic and interval drills, short phrases
CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who completed exams in 2023:
Level One: Audrey Howard *
Level Two: Ge,orge Howard * & Arianna Nuttleman +
Level Three: Allie Wilcox *
Level Five:: Elliott Lee *, Adelaide McGreevy + & Alexandra Nuttleman *
Level Seven: Kyle Nuttleman
Level Eight: Jane Li *, Ryan Nuttleman & Micah Schoenberger +
Level Ten: Evie Stockinger *
Level Eleven: Nitya Potti +
* High Distinction + Distinction ? TBD
Students benefit from participation because these exams:
- encourage meticulous work and high performance standards
- offer a means by which teachers, parents, and students may measure achievement in musical study
- set a tangible goal toward which the student can work
- produce a sense of accomplishment that comes from pursuing challenges
- provide students an evaluation by another competent teacher; written critiques reinforce positive qualities and constructively draw attention to areas needing improvement
- assure that no aspect important to the student's musical development is being neglected
Exams are judged by trained MMTA member teachers/adjudicators.
Each component of the exam has a predetermined amount of points possible. As the student plays, the judge scores each part of the test. Points are then totaled, and each student who passes receives a grade of High Distinction, Distinction, Excellent, or Satisfactory. A non refundable fee is charged for each level.
There are monetary awards (ranging from $20 to $200) recognizing scores of High Distinction!
2023/2024 Dates TBD:
December 3 - Woodbury, K & S Studio
April 14 - Woodbury, K & S Studio
May 19 - St Paul, St Joseph's School of Music
MMTA Theory Exams:
The Music Theory program outlines six levels of curriculum, progressing in the areas of notation and ear training, as well as analysis and understanding of the structure and form of music. Each level includes written work, oral training and sight reading and transposition skills. A teacher's manual and student workbook is available for each of the six examination levels. Music Theory Examinations are required for specific levels of the State Contest.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who completed exams this year:
Level One: Audrey Howard
Level Two: George Howard & Arianna Nuttleman
Level Four: Elliott Lee, Adelaide McGreevy, Alexandra Nuttleman & Allie Wilcox
Level Five: Kyle Nuttleman
2024 Dates:
March 17 - Woodbury, K & S Studio
April 13, Edina, Normandale Lutheran Church
CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who completed exams this year:
Level One: Audrey Howard
Level Two: George Howard & Arianna Nuttleman
Level Four: Elliott Lee, Adelaide McGreevy, Alexandra Nuttleman & Allie Wilcox
Level Five: Kyle Nuttleman
2024 Dates:
March 17 - Woodbury, K & S Studio
April 13, Edina, Normandale Lutheran Church
MMTA Contest:
To encourage meticulous work and high performance standards, MMTA sponsors State Contest Preliminaries in February and State Contest Finals in March each year. Contestants must be students of MMTA members and must choose selections from the current contest list. Competition categories include piano, voice, organ, strings, and woodwinds. There are eight age divisions in which piano students may compete, ranging from the Pre-Primary division (6 years and younger) through Senior B (19-20). Age divisions in other categories are appropriate to the instrument.
Over 5000 students enter the State Piano Contest annually. Pianists with the highest grades in the Contest Finals are selected for ensemble performance in the State Honors Concert at Northrop Auditorium, University of Minnesota. This concert has grown into a gala event involving 700 young performers playing on 20 grand pianos in ensemble groups. Soloists selected from the Young Artists are also featured.
Preparation for the MMTA Contest involves (mandatory) five performances on different pianos for an audience. Mary Beth will give the forms out which must be filled in. Studio sponsored opportunities for performances include the MMTF Recitals in January, the WSMTA Ribbon Recital, and the Master Class offered in the studio. These performance enable the students to be ready to perform on unfamiliar pianos in front of a judge.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following students 2023 WINNERS:
Audrey Howard, George Howard, Elliott Lee, Jane Li, Alexandra Nuttleman,
Arianna Nuttleman, Ryan Nuttleman, Nitya Potti, Micah Schoenberger & Allie Wilcox
& to the following students who were declared Alternates:
Adelaide McGreevy & Evie Stockinger
2024 Dates:
General Competition:
Preliminaries - January 20/21 at Bethel College, Arden Hills
Finals - March 2/3 at University of MN, Ferguson Hall
Junior Young Artist Competition: Dates TBD
Preliminaries - February - University of Northwestern, Totino Fine Arts Ctr, Paul
Finals - February - Schmitt Music, Brooklyn Center
Honors Concert Rehearsals
April 20, Schmitt Music, Brooklyn Center
May 4, Schmitt Music, Brooklyn Center
May 18, *MANDATORY* Schmitt Music, Brooklyn Center
June 1, *MANDATORY* Minneapolis Convention Center
Honors Concert:
June 1 - 7pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center
In the photo below, you see our students who were winners in the 2019 MMTA Contest. They performed
at the Convention Center and then we celebrated with the traditional PANINI PARTY that weekend!
Over 5000 students enter the State Piano Contest annually. Pianists with the highest grades in the Contest Finals are selected for ensemble performance in the State Honors Concert at Northrop Auditorium, University of Minnesota. This concert has grown into a gala event involving 700 young performers playing on 20 grand pianos in ensemble groups. Soloists selected from the Young Artists are also featured.
Preparation for the MMTA Contest involves (mandatory) five performances on different pianos for an audience. Mary Beth will give the forms out which must be filled in. Studio sponsored opportunities for performances include the MMTF Recitals in January, the WSMTA Ribbon Recital, and the Master Class offered in the studio. These performance enable the students to be ready to perform on unfamiliar pianos in front of a judge.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following students 2023 WINNERS:
Audrey Howard, George Howard, Elliott Lee, Jane Li, Alexandra Nuttleman,
Arianna Nuttleman, Ryan Nuttleman, Nitya Potti, Micah Schoenberger & Allie Wilcox
& to the following students who were declared Alternates:
Adelaide McGreevy & Evie Stockinger
2024 Dates:
General Competition:
Preliminaries - January 20/21 at Bethel College, Arden Hills
Finals - March 2/3 at University of MN, Ferguson Hall
Junior Young Artist Competition: Dates TBD
Preliminaries - February - University of Northwestern, Totino Fine Arts Ctr, Paul
Finals - February - Schmitt Music, Brooklyn Center
Honors Concert Rehearsals
April 20, Schmitt Music, Brooklyn Center
May 4, Schmitt Music, Brooklyn Center
May 18, *MANDATORY* Schmitt Music, Brooklyn Center
June 1, *MANDATORY* Minneapolis Convention Center
Honors Concert:
June 1 - 7pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center
In the photo below, you see our students who were winners in the 2019 MMTA Contest. They performed
at the Convention Center and then we celebrated with the traditional PANINI PARTY that weekend!
WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE PIANO EXAM PROGRAM?
from a student's prospective.....
“Believe it or not, the part of this year’s piano lessons that I enjoyed most was the piano exam!
Not only did I fall in love with my pieces and the way I could play the piano, but it really improved my attitude towards playing.
I went from practicing ten minutes a day to practicing 60 - 90 minutes a day. (Yes, I do still have occasional slumps...)
I nailed my scales and my counting improved! I learned to love the piano and the beautiful sounds it produces with the caressing touch of my fingers.
I always wanted to be able to play well but this year helped me realize that to play well, you’ve got to practice and work well.
I guess sometimes it takes a GOAL to get you going.” Jessica
This quotation came from a 16 year old transfer student at the end of her third year of involvement with the piano exams. Having never having studied with an MMTA teacher, she left her first lesson frustrated at her lack of understanding of terms such as piano, forte, legato and staccato (as a fourteen year old). In her first year, she mastered the Theory exam level 2 and the second year she received a monetary award for a score of High Distinction on her level six piano exam! Setting goals for students helps them reach for the sky!
“Believe it or not, the part of this year’s piano lessons that I enjoyed most was the piano exam!
Not only did I fall in love with my pieces and the way I could play the piano, but it really improved my attitude towards playing.
I went from practicing ten minutes a day to practicing 60 - 90 minutes a day. (Yes, I do still have occasional slumps...)
I nailed my scales and my counting improved! I learned to love the piano and the beautiful sounds it produces with the caressing touch of my fingers.
I always wanted to be able to play well but this year helped me realize that to play well, you’ve got to practice and work well.
I guess sometimes it takes a GOAL to get you going.” Jessica
This quotation came from a 16 year old transfer student at the end of her third year of involvement with the piano exams. Having never having studied with an MMTA teacher, she left her first lesson frustrated at her lack of understanding of terms such as piano, forte, legato and staccato (as a fourteen year old). In her first year, she mastered the Theory exam level 2 and the second year she received a monetary award for a score of High Distinction on her level six piano exam! Setting goals for students helps them reach for the sky!
from a parent's prospective.....
As a parent of a teenage daughter who has taken several piano exams, I can see numerous benefits in these exams. Certainly, pulling together a polished performance of four demanding pieces is a challenge that brings her great satisfaction and pride. The positive feedback and comments from the exam judge are also important in reinforcing this sense of pride and accomplishment. I know that my daughter especially likes the fact that the exam entails four pieces from different musical periods. This allows her a chance to concentrate on pieces that are quite different from one another and are usually of a substantial length.
I particularly like the fact that the exam requires her to be able to explain how a piece of music is characteristic of a particular time period. Learning to recognize the historical forms and styles of the music she is playing has broadened her understanding and appreciation of music history.
I think playing for one knowledgeable judge as opposed to a roomful of recital goers is a bit nerve-wracking, but a valuable experience. After all, evaluation is an important part of education. It helps my daughter feel a little more at ease if she gets a judge who is friendly and talkative, as I think most of them are.
My daughter also takes part in Guild auditions and theory exams, but she likes preparing for the piano exam better than either of these. I think the goals for the piano exam are clear to her and the form of the exam is appealing. She usually doesn’t need to pick up old music in preparation for the exam, so the work is new and fun. I like hearing her play new pieces and guessing how many pages she has to memorize.
I particularly like the fact that the exam requires her to be able to explain how a piece of music is characteristic of a particular time period. Learning to recognize the historical forms and styles of the music she is playing has broadened her understanding and appreciation of music history.
I think playing for one knowledgeable judge as opposed to a roomful of recital goers is a bit nerve-wracking, but a valuable experience. After all, evaluation is an important part of education. It helps my daughter feel a little more at ease if she gets a judge who is friendly and talkative, as I think most of them are.
My daughter also takes part in Guild auditions and theory exams, but she likes preparing for the piano exam better than either of these. I think the goals for the piano exam are clear to her and the form of the exam is appealing. She usually doesn’t need to pick up old music in preparation for the exam, so the work is new and fun. I like hearing her play new pieces and guessing how many pages she has to memorize.