VFMC Mary Smart Scholarship Competition
(Preliminary & Final Auditions)
Category
Junior Performance: Instrumental & Vocal
Summary
The Mary Smart Scholarship Competition is held yearly in conjunction with the Federation Festival. Students who meet the eligibility requirements may enter the Preliminary Auditions. Applicants are required to perform their current year required festival pieces before judges. Preliminary auditions are held in each of the 3 districts and nine winners chosen from each district will automatically advance to the Final Auditions held on May 31, 2025, during the Annual VFMC Convention.
Eligibility
Entrant must have earned 3 Superior ratings in the SOLO EVENT Category on the same instrument as described in the Junior Festival Bulletin – Piano, Voice, Lynn Freeman Olson Piano Solo, String, Harp, Guitar, Accordion, Woodwind, Brass. The three superiors are not required to be consecutive, however one Superior rating must have been earned in the current Festival year. The Solo class (e.g. Elementary I) entered at the Mary Smart Competition must be the same Solo class (e.g. Elementary I) entered in the current Festival. (Hymns, Concerto, Duet, Sonata and Ensemble Events do not qualify for the Mary Smart Competition.)
First place winners at the state level may not compete again in the same division level. Teachers may not submit entrants if they do not personally teach them.
Entry fee
By Districts for Preliminaries
None at state level
VFMC Awards
DIVISION I: Elementary I through Medium Class
First Place $150.00
Second Place $125.00
Third Place $100.00
DIVISION II: Moderately Difficult I through Difficult I Class
First Place $175.00
Second Place $150.00
Third Place $125.00
DIVISION III: Difficult II through Musically Advanced II Class
First Place $200.00
Second Place $175.00
Third Place $150.00
ADDITIONAL AWARDS:
Sandra B. Anderson $100.00
(Awarded to a graduating Senior who receives First Place in Division III)
Jan Schiffner Incentive Award $50.00
(Awarded to one student in each division who does not place but who, the judges feel, shows outstanding ability, great potential, and is worthy of the encouragement which a special award brings.)
VFMC Mary Smart Preliminary Auditions
District I:
Date: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Entry Fee: $17 - check to LMTA
Location: Lynchburg Music Center, 6006 Fort Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24502
Instructions: Click to download District I Preliminary Audition Application. Contact District I Mary Smart Preliminaries Co-Chairs Debbie Harvey (434-444-0778), or Rosie Troxel (434-847-6347) for complete information.
District II:
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
Application Deadline: April 18, 2025
Entry Fee: $25 - check to VFMC/District II
Location: Manassas Baptist Church, 8800 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA
Instructions: Click to download District II Preliminary Audition Application. Contact District II Mary Smart Preliminaries Chair, Marcia Chaplin (703-298-0748) for complete information.
District III:
Date: March 29, 2025
Application Deadline: March 20, 2025
Entry Fee: $20 - check to Cadenza Music Club
Location: Ferguson Center for the Arts, Studio R108, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA
Instructions: Click to download District III Preliminary Audition Application. Contact District III Mary Smart Preliminaries Chair, Myrna Brinkley (757-810-7385) for complete information.
VFMC Mary Smart Final Auditions
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Location: VFMC Annual Convention, South Hill Presbyterian Church, 914 N Mecklenburg Ave., South Hill, VA 23970
Times:
-Registration, 2:30 pm
-Final Auditions, 3:00 pm
-Competition Program, 5:00 pmContact VFMC Mary Smart Competition Chair, Marcia Chaplin, for complete information.
VFMC Mary Smart Competition Chair
Marcia Chaplin
1807 Batten Hollow Road
Vienna, VA 22182
703-298-0748
Marciachaplin2@gmail.com
Click to download PDF of Mary Smart Competition Rules & Requirements
Each district has its own application form:
October 2025