KASTA
Solo Competition

The KASTA State Solo Competition seeks to recognize exceptional performance on string instruments in the State of Kansas at three levels: the Preparatory Division (Grades 8 and below), Junior Division (Grades 9-12), and the Senior Division (college/university undergraduate or graduate student, age 29 years or younger).

The 2024 competition has concluded.
The application deadline was Friday, January 19th, 2024.

2024 Entry Form

CONGRATULATIONS

2024 Kansas ASTA Solo Competition Winners

Preparatory Division Winner
Jiarong Michele Wang
Salina South Middle School
student of Leonardo Rosario

Junior Division Winner
Ryan Byun
Andover Central High School
student of Elizabeth Lane and Kathy House

Senior Division Winner
Karla Lugo
Wichita State University
student of Leonid Shukaev and Mark Laycock

Junior Division Honorable Mentions
Rony Castro, Dodge City High School
student of Quinn Lake, Susie Yang, Jane Lindamood, and Anna Draper

Solomon Wu, Blue Valley Northwest High School
student of Susie Yang and Mike Arbucci

HarAnsh Singh Gugnani, Blue Valley Northwest High School
student of Johnny Hamil and Mike Arbucci

Maho Gibbs, Blue Valley Northwest High School
student of Tamamo Someya Gibbs and Mike Arbucci

Susanna Beckman, Heartland Preparatory School
student of Quinn Lake

Blue Valley High School String Quartet
students of Amy Fear

The competition will take place Thursday, February 22nd, 2024 (5:00-7:00 pm) at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita, KS as part of the KMEA In-service Workshop.
One winner from each division (Preparatory, Junior, and Senior) will be selected. The overall winner will be recognized and perform on Friday, February 23rd at the annual KASTA awards luncheon at KMEA. In addition, the following prizes will be awarded by KASTA:
Preparatory Division
First place: $100
Junior Division
First place: $250
Senior Division
First place: $400
Complete the online application and mail your $20.00 entry fee (cash or check made out to KASTA) to:
Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts
Attn: Dr. Amber Peterson
300 E. 27th St.
North Newton, KS 67117

Application deadline is Friday, January 19th, 2024.
Registration fee is due by Friday, February 16th, 2024.
Students will be notified of the competition schedule by Friday, February 16th, 2024.
PREPARATORY DIVISION: (up to Grade 8) Applicants for the preparatory division are expected to prepare a maximum of TEN (10) minutes of music from ONE (1) piece. Pieces shorter than 10 minutes are acceptable and encouraged. Cuts to orchestral tuttis are permitted and encouraged. Please time your piece carefully to ensure this limit is followed. Pieces may either be accompanied or written for solo instrument. However, if the piece is written with accompaniment, the applicant is required to perform with live accompaniment in their video.
JUNIOR DIVISION: (Grade 9-12) Applicants for the JR division are expected to prepare a maximum of TEN (10) minutes of music from ONE (1) piece. Pieces shorter than 10 minutes are acceptable and encouraged. Cuts to orchestral tuttis are permitted and encouraged. Please time your piece carefully to ensure this limit is followed. Pieces may either be accompanied or written for solo instrument. However, if the piece is written with accompaniment, the applicant is required to perform with live accompaniment in their video.
SENIOR DIVISION: (Enrolled undergraduate and graduate college students; 29 years old or younger) Applicants for the SR division are expected to prepare a maximum of FIFTEEN (15) minutes of music from ONE (1) or TWO (2) pieces. Cuts to orchestral tuttis are permitted and encouraged. Please time your piece carefully to ensure this limit is followed. Pieces may either be accompanied or written for solo instrument. However, if the piece is written with accompaniment, the applicant is required to perform with accompaniment.

RULES:

Competitors must be current students residing in Kansas.
Past KASTA State Solo Competition 1st place winners are not eligible to compete again in the division they previously won.
All competitors are required to memorize their music, regardless of the division, with the following exceptions:
- Duo sonata repertoire with piano
- Chamber ensemble repertoire
If pieces are accompanied, competitors must perform with accompaniment. A staff accompanist will be available if competitors are not able provide their own. Contact Dr. Peterson (bratschemusik@yahoo.com) to reserve the accompanist by January 19th, 2024. The cost will be $50.00, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal and the competition performance. Payment is due by the day of the competition. If selected as the overall winner, the accompanist used at the competition must be the accompanist used at the luncheon.
Time limitation –
- Preparatory Division – A maximum of 10 minutes of music from 1 piece
- Junior Division – A maximum of 10 minutes of music from 1 piece
- Senior Division – A maximum of 15 minutes of music from 1 or 2 pieces
The overall winner across divisions must be available to perform at the KASTA luncheon on Friday, February 23rd.
The competition will be open to the public so that family members and teachers can attend.
Judges’ comments will be given to students within a week of the competition.
Chamber ensembles are permitted to compete provided that:
- No non-string instruments are used except for piano.
- The ensemble does not exceed 8 instruments.
Competitors are required to bring TWO copies of the music, with measures numbered, for the judges. If the piece is performed with accompaniment, the accompaniment scores should be the copies submitted to the judges.
Results will be announced immediately upon completion of the judges’ deliberation.

Please encourage your students to participate this year as a showcase of the fine string students and teachers we have in Kansas!