Rising Stars
Shine On at the CSMTA Stars Festival!
Open to all young performers—whether you're here to compete or simply share your music—the Rising Stars Festival celebrates talent, creativity, and diversity.
With categories for piano, voice, instruments, and ensembles, and special recognition for works by lesser known, underrepresented, or newly rediscovered works. This is your stage to grow, express, and shine!
2026 Rising Stars Festival
Registration deadline: March 1, 2026
Event date: April 11, 2026
Location: Lamont School of Music, University of Denver
Chair: Jen Bowlds
Repertoire requirements:
For solo piano, solo instrumental, and ensemble divisions: Each student performs two selections of contrasting styles from different composers. Both selections may be from the same period.
For solo voice: Each student performs two standard works (folk songs, art songs, early Italian arias, and theater) from two different periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary) by different composers, that are age and developmentally appropriate.
This student event is open to students of CSMTA member and non-member teachers in the state of Colorado.
Two categories: Competitive Stars & Non-Competitive Stars.
Four divisions: Solo Piano, Solo Voice, Solo Instrument & Ensemble.
Spotlight Award: Students may opt in for this special recognition by performing lesser-known, underrepresented, or newly rediscovered works, earning a Spotlight seal for all participants and a medal for standout performances.
Level groupings (for both categories, in all divisions):
Lower Elementary. Ages 6-8
Upper Elementary. Ages 9-11
Junior. Ages 12-14
Lower Senior. Ages 15-16
Upper Senior. Ages 17-19 (non-collegiate)
The age level of an ensemble group is determined by the average age of the ensemble performers.
There may be two rounds in Competitive Stars if there are more than ten contestants in one level.
First place winners are invited (not required) to perform at the Winners' Showcase Concert at the annual CSMTA conference.
For complete information and rules check the CSMTA Student Activities Handbook.
Entry fees:
Solo Competitive: $60 per student ($90 for students of non-CSMTA members).
Solo Non-Competitive: $40 per student ($60 for students of non-CSMTA members)
Ensemble Competitive: $40 per student ($60 for students of non-CSMTA members)
Ensemble Non-Competitive: $30 per student ($45 for students of non-CSMTA members)
50% discount applies to MusicLink students.
ADDITIONALLY non-CSMTA teachers are charged a flat fee of $50 regardless of the number of students entered.
IMPORTANT: In order to register students with a "member-level" fee you must have joined CSMTA by the event registration date of March 1, 2026. Otherwise you and your students will be charged the non-member fee.