2026 JMF Wollongong & Mark Matthews Award
Location
About
Junior Music Festivals offer young music students the opportunity to perform in a friendly, relaxed and encouraging environment. They are held in various locations throughout Sydney and also Newcastle and Wollongong. They are open to students of both members and non-members of the MTA.
Instead of being divided into age groups, Junior Music Festivals are divided into sections by the grade/ability of the performer. This means that all participants have a chance to shine and even win prizes, even late beginners. Any recognised Exam board grading system is acceptable.
Trophy prizes are awarded in all sections, with all participants receiving a Certificate of Participation and a report from the adjudicator. Entrants must be aged 18 years and under as at 31 July. They may enter for more than one venue.
MARK MATTHEWS AUSTRALIAN COMPOSER AWARD - The Mark Matthews Australian Composer Award will be offered at the Junior Music Festival Wollongong. For 2026, the fee for entering this section is $5 per student.
PIANO
The competitor must play a piece composed by Mark Matthews and the time limit will be 5 minutes. This award is open to piano students only, beginners to 6th Grade, duets not permitted. This section will be offered on the condition that 3 or more competitors have entered.
FLUTE
The competitor must play a piece composed by Mark Matthews and the time limit will be 5 minutes. This award is open to solo flute (with piano accompaniment) students only, beginners to 6th Grade. This section will be offered on the condition that 3 or more competitors have entered.
For any Mark Mathews compositions in the Beginners to 6th grade range- visit remarkablemusic.net
Prerequisite for entering this MMACA Section:
The competitor is required to enter and play in a JMF section in the Wollongong JMF, according to their grade/ ability level on any instrument or voice.
Cash prizes and a trophy will be awarded to the winners as follows:
Beginners to Grade 2 (Novice and Elementary)
1st Place $25.00
2nd Place $15.00
3rd Place $10.00
Grade 3 to Grade 6 (Intermediate and Late Intermediate)
1st Place $50.00
2nd Place $30.00
3rd Place $20.00
Location
NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED
Important Information
- JMF Entries are open to students of both MTA Members and non-members.
- Students must be no older than 18 at the 31 July. Proof of age may be requested.
- Students may enter each section once under each instrument (e.g. one entry playing piano, and another playing violin).
- Students may enter at more than one venue.
- A First Prize winner cannot compete in the same grade the following year.
- Students must provide their own accompaniment if needed.
Audience Tickets
Adult: $10 and Child under 12: Free
Teachers and accompanists: free entry
To avoid dissapointment, it is recommended that audience members pre-purchase tickets prior to the event. Tickets at the door will only be available if space permits.
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