Kirchhof Competition, Wardall, MSMTA, Guiles, Donohue, and Mirabella
DARWIN R. KIRCHHOF, JR. MEMORIAL COMPETITION AWARD
The Darwin Kirchhof Memorial Awards were established in 1974 in honor of Miriam Gottlieb, the sole
adjudicator for GLMTA’s first solo competition in 1973. After her death and after a memorial competition was instituted under MSMTA in her name, GLMTA renamed this prestigious competition to honor one of her very special adult students who also did adjudicating for GLMTA. This competition presents the greatest challenge to the students of GLMTA both in quantity and quality of literature.
Chairman: Douglas Guiles, 10359 Cullen Terrace, Columbia, MD 21044
Competition Date: May 3, 2025 (This event is held in audition format)
Entry Deadline: April 4, 2025 via e-mail no later than 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: $20.00 Send to Wendy Dengler postmarked no later than April 5 with an e-mail to Wendy and the Chair saying “Check is in the Mail”
Eligibility: Any piano student of a teacher member, including adults, except Mirabella Senior Award place winners and any previous 1st Place winners at the same level. Previous 1st place winners may enter non-competitively at the same level or competitively at a higher level. Winner of top-talent must stay out for one year, but may enter the following year. Non-competitive students are eligible for special period awards, Donohue, Guiles, F. Kirchhof and MSMTA prizes, providing all four periods are performed and other non-competitive requirements are met.
Awards: Each student will receive a critique of his performance. Place winners will receive plaques. Teachers are responsible to pick up critiques and awards.
Adults: Adults may play competitively if 3 or more enter competitively. Prior 1st Place winners are not eligible to compete the year after winning.
Literature: One work must be a Sonata-allegro movement, Rondo, Fantasia or a Complete
Theme and Variations.
JUNIOR LEVEL: Seventh grade and below.
Baroque selection below the level of Bach invention level (e.g. Bach minuets or easy preludes).
Classical selection-Sonatinas such as Clementi Op. 36 No. 1 and 2.
Romantic or Impressionistic*
20th/21st Century piece in the contemporary idiom*
INTERMEDIATE I: Ninth grade and below
Baroque-at the level of the easiest Bach inventions (e.g. No 1 or 8)
Classical Sonata-Allegro movement at level of sonatinas (Clementi Op 36 No 3 or 4)
Romantic or Impressionistic*
20th/21st Century in the contemporary idiom*
INTERMEDIATE II: Eleventh grade and below
Baroque-at the level of the intermediate Bach inventions (e.g. No 13)
Classical Sonata-Easy Sonatas (e.g. Beethoven op 49 #2, Mozart K545)
Romantic or Impressionistic*
20th/ 21st Century piece in the contemporary idiom*
SENIOR LEVEL: Twelfth grade and below
Baroque-at the minimum level of harder two part inventions
Classical Sonata Allegro movement exceeding level of Int 2 (e.g. Beethoven op 1 No 1, Mozart K330)
Romantic or Impressionistic*
20th/21st Century piece in the contemporary idiom*
TOP TALENT: Twelfth grade and below
Baroque-at the level of Bach Prelude and Fugues
Classical Sonata (e.g. Beethoven op 2 No 3)
Romantic or Impressionistic (e.g. Chopin Ballades. Scherzos)*
20th/21st Century piece in the contemporary idiom*
ADULT LEVEL: Post High School
Baroque Selection
Classical Selection
Romantic or Impressionistic Selection
20th/21st Century in the contemporary idiom*
*Should not exceed or fall below the level of Baroque and classical pieces in the category.
20th/21st Century literature must be selected from composers listed in the Hinson Literature books. Other composers acceptable only with advance clearance from the chairman. In general teaching composers (e.g. Gillock, Meir, Noona, Rocherolle, Peskanov etc) are not acceptable for this category.
Literature changes are not accepted after the entry deadline.
In addition to the traditional Romantic / Impressionistic composers, the following are also acceptable in this category: Scott, Scriabin, Faure, Granados, and Albeniz.
Concertos are not acceptable literature for this award.
IMPORTANT: When entering, you must include a complete identification of the piece including composer’s FULL name, opus number, movement and any other identification such as Opus, Kochel or Hoboken listing.
TEACHERS AGREE TO BE AVAILABLE (a minimum of 4 hours) TO HELP THE DAY OF THE COMPETITION IF ENTERING STUDENTS.
FIRST PLACE WINNERS FROM THE PAST FIVE YEARS
2018 – Junior A: Megan Vu Junior B: Temi Sobande Intermediate I A: Sophia Vu Intermediate I B: Eric Pham Intermediate I C: Andy Xiong Intermediate II A: Ian Martinson Intermediate II B: Stefan Cehan Senior A: Jana Liu Senior B: Arnan Huang
2019 – Junior A: Zachary Pan Junior B: Surie Zhang Intermediate I A: Sophia Vu Intermediate I B: Makayla Vu Intermediate II: Kisakye Kirabo Senior A: Cindy Zhan Senior B: Aliza Khan
2020 – Event not held
2021 — Junior A Anna Zhu, Junior B Jordan Kim, Intermediate I Marcus Tran Intermediate IB Zacary Pan Intermediate IIA Jonathan Bu Intermediate IIB Julia Cabacar Senior A Vera Smolyaninova Senior B Gavin Crislogo Top Talent Cindy Zhan
2022 – Junior A Sophie Wu Junior B Neil Chen Intermediate IA Amber Zhang Intermediate I B Mulungi Kirabo Intermediate II A Marcus Tran Intermediate II B Max Yu Senior A Ian Martinson Senior B Brandon Biann
2023 – Junior: Kevin Li Intermediate I: Neil Chen Intermediate II: Amber Zhang Senior: Marcus Tran Top Talent: Ian Matinson
2024 – Junior: Jonathan Tran Intermediate I: Anna Zhu Intermediate II: Jordan Kim Senior (Eaine Zhang Top Talent: Kisakye Kirabo
MARGARET WARDALL INSTRUMENTAL AWARD
Margaret Wardall was an early member who taught both strings and piano. She was active in making the instrumental competition a success. In addition, it was with her help and that of Dorothy Pickard of Eleanor Roosevelt High School that our annual orchestra concerto competition was arranged. When she moved to Arizona in 1975, GLMTA established this special award in her honor.
Chairman: Douglas Guiles, 10359 Cullen Terrace, Columbia, MD 21044
Competition Date: May 3, 2025 (This event is held in audition format)
Postmark Deadline: April 4, 2025 (e-mail entries NOT acceptable) by 10:00 PM
Fee: $20.00
Award: Each student receives a critique. First Place winner receives a plaque.
Eligibility: Any string, woodwind, or brass student of teacher member. This event is held only if 5 or more students enter competitively. Last year’s First place winner may not enter competitively.
Age: 12th grade and below of a teacher member
Accompanist: Students may be accompanied by their own teacher.
Literature: Three different periods from the following four categories:
I Baroque or Renaissance
II Classical
III Romantic or Impressionistic
IV Contemporary
At least one of which must be performed by memory.
Entry Form: Request Entry Form from Chairperson at least two weeks before the deadline.
MIRABELLA SENIOR AWARD
This scholarship award was instituted in 1973 with a donation to GLMTA. In 1984, the teachers of GLMTA chose to honor Lea Mirabella, a former member, a wonderful lady and an active and excellent teacher who had moved to Oregon, by naming the scholarship for her. First place winners have been: Benedict Pajac (1973), Laurel Bates & Jim Wigand (1974), Mark Findlay (1975), Linda Randall (1976), Terri Vossler (1977), Curtis Edwards (1978), Michele Selin (1979), Karen Haft (1980), Richard Buter (1981), Megan Moynahan (1982), Maureen McGowan (1983), Foongy Lee (1984), Elaine Protzman (1985), Masako Niwa (1986), Monica Case (1987), Lisa Beall (1988), Aimee Robertson (1989), Sandy Messina (1990), Elena Huang (1991), Joy Puckett (1992), Gina Chen (1993), Brian Boynton (1994), Mark Di Pinto (1995), Jennifer Chea (1996), Scott Crowne (1997), Michael McBride (1998), Sandy Jen (1999), no winner (2000), Hsing Hui Hsu (2001), Michael Alpert (2002), Grace Shen (2003), Julian Winters (2004), Ashley Johnston (2005), Vivian Wang (2006), Lisa Tom (2007), Owen Adams (2008) Belinda Juang (2009), Laura Powell (2010), Tommy Zhang (2011), Susanna Conrad (2012), Emily Tchai (2013)
Joshua Sharo (2014), Richard Williams (2015), Sylvan Scott (2016), Ken Chen (2017), No winner (2018), Jacob Breedlove (2019), Alisa Khan (2020), Ana Coman (2021), Gavin Crisologo (2022) No Winner (2023), Ian Martinson (2024)
Chairman: Douglas Guiles, 10359 Cullen Terrace, Columbia, MD 21044
Competition Date: May3, 2025 (This event is held in audition format).
Advance Registration: To be eligible to compete, teacher must turn in prospective applicant’s name and instrument in an email to the chairman by February 1.
Entry Deadline: April 4, 2025 — Use Kirchhof Excel Entry Form
Entry Fee: None
Eligibility: Any high school senior student of a teacher member who has performed in at least 4 other GLMTA events non-competitively within the last 4 years. (All instruments and voice are included). The program may be divided between two instruments or voice and an instrument. (Both teachers must be members). On divided programs, there must be two works for each instrument and periods may not be duplicated.
Literature: Must be on the level of requirements for entrance to college as a music major.
Same four periods of music as Kirchhof must be represented equal to the level of difficulty of, at least, the Senior Kirchhof Award. Concerto literature not acceptable for Pianists
Judges Decision: Since this is a very special award, the judges will not be required to choose a
winner if no student is qualified in their estimation.
Accompanists: Teachers may accompany their own students.
Memory: Piano and voice students must perform from memory. Instrumentalists must perform at least half the program from memory. If a program is divided between piano or voice and one other instrument, the piano or voice section must be memorized and one piece of the instrumental section must be memorized.
Award: 1st Place $200.00
2nd Place $100.00 (at Least 5 performers required)
3rd Place $75.00 (at least 7 performers required
4th Place $50.00 (at least 9 performers required)
5th Place $25.00 (at least 11 performers required
Form: Use Kirchhof Mirabella Excel form
MSMTA, GUILES & DONAHUE PERFORMANCE AWARDS
Chairman: Douglas Guiles, 10359 Cullen Terrace, Columbia, Md. 21044
Date: May 3, 2025 (These awards are held in audition format)
Entry Deadline: April 4, 2025 no separate entry form required
Entry Fee: NONE These awards will be given to students entered competitively or non-competitively (playing all four periods) in the Kirchhof competition. To be eligible for a cash prize, students must have participated in at least 4 non-competitive GLMTA Events during the most recent four years.
Eligibility: MSMTA AWARD ($100): Student in 9th 10th or 11th grade entered in the Senior or Top Talent levels of the Kirchhof competition. Previous MSMTA Performance Award winners in ANY local association are not eligible.
GUILES AWARD ($100): Students performing in Senior/Top Talent levels of the Kirchhof are eligible. (Note: Mirabella and MSMTA cash award winners are not eligible) Previous winners are not eligible. The award is in memory of Catherine Clark and George Raymond Guiles, parents of Wendy Dengler and Douglas Guiles.
FRANCES KIRCHHOF AWARD ($50): Students performing in Intermediate II level of Kirchhof are eligible. Previous winners are not eligible. This memorial award is in memory of the mother of Darwin Kirchhof Jr.
ETHEL DONAHUE AWARD ($50): Students performing in the Junior and Intermediate I Levels of the Kirchhof Competition are eligible. This award is in honor of Ethel Clark Donahue, first Piano teacher of Wendy Dengler and Douglas Guiles. Previous Winners are not eligible.
MSMTA PAST Samuel Cheng (2019) Not awarded (2022)
WINNERS Gavin Crislogo, (2021) Cindy Zhan (2022) Ian Martinson (2023)
Max Yu (2024)
GEORGE & CATHERINE GUILES MEMORIAL AWARD WINNERS:
Cindy Zhan (2019), Not awarded (2020) Andrew Guo (2021), Ian Martinson (2022) Marcus Tran (2023) Elaine Zhang (2024)
FRANCES KIRCHHOF MEMORIAL AWARD WINNERS:
Julia Cabacar (2021), Max Yu (2022) Amber Zhang (2023) Anna Zhu (2024)
ETHEL CLARK DONAHUE MEMORIAL AWARD WINNERS:
Sophia Vu, Makayla Vu (2019) Not awarded (2020) Jordan Kim, Marcus Tran
(2021), Neil Chen, Mulungi Kirabo (2022) Kevin Li (2023) Jonathan Tran (2024)