Register Today!
The registration for the 2025 Bach Festival is now open (online or in PDF).
Registration closes on March 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Shelia Litke at sheilal@tabor.edu or by phone at 620-947-3121 (ext. 1406).
Festival & Competition Schedule
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2025
8 a.m… Check-In & Registration
8:30 a.m… Welcome & Opening
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m… Piano & Organ Competition Preliminary Round
10-10:45 a.m… Organ Encounter
11-11:45 a.m… Masterclass with Dr. Sheila Litke
12:30 p.m… Lunch Break
2 p.m… Finalists Announced
2:15 p.m… Keyboard Competition Finalists Round (followed by Awards Ceremony)
Competition
(Click here for full competition regulations)
CATEGORIES
- Elementary Piano Division (up to age 9)
- Junior Piano Division (ages 10-13)
- Senior Piano Division (ages 14-18)
- Young Piano Artist (ages 19-21)
- Senior Organ Division (ages 14-18)
- Young Artist Organ Division (ages 19-22)
PRIZES
- Elementary Division: $50
- Junior Division: $50
- Senior Division: $75
- Young Artist Division: $100
- Senior Organ Division: $75
- Young Artist Organ Division: $100
REPERTOIRE
All competitors perform one solo keyboard work written by Johann Sebastian Bach. Upon approval by the Festival Coordinator, Elementary and Junior Division competitors may perform simplified arrangements of Bach’s works. All competitors must provide a clean copy of their repertoire for the judge. Each score must be complete with numbered measures. No photocopies will be allowed.
Memory is required for all pianists who wish to be considered for prizes. However, organists are not required to perform from memory. First-place winners will not be allowed to compete in the same age division for at least one year. They may, however, perform for comments only.
PROCEDURE
The competition consists of two rounds.
- Preliminary Round: Closed audition format, with only family and friends
- Final Round: Three finalists in each division perform in a public recital in Tabor College’s Richert Auditorium
All participants may choose to perform for comments only. Please specify this preference when registering.
Special note regarding organists:
Organists will be given a twenty-minute period in which they may establish registration and try the instrument. Tabor College’s Richert Auditorium organ is a custom three-manual Allen organ designed and installed by Burton Tidwell. (Click here for detailed specifications and stop list)
The decisions of the judges are final and non-negotiable. All competitors will receive written comments for the piece presented.
FESTIVAL & COMPETITION FEES
- FULL COMPETITOR: $40/entry
Entry fee includes
– 2025 Festival & Competition T-shirt
– Entry of name for door prizes
– Competition comments and monetary prizes for winners
All cash prizes will be mailed to the winner following the competition. Door prizes will be awarded to any competitor or teacher present. This individual must be present to win.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information or specific questions/concerns, please contact
Dr. Sheila Litke, Professor of Piano/Event Coordinator
Tabor College
Hillsboro, Kansas 67063
620-947-3121 ext. 1406
sheilal@tabor.edu