2026 HSMC Registration Form (Available on August 24, 2026)

The 2026 Hawaiʻi State Music Competition Part is open to Piano, Violin, and Low Strings (Viola, Cello, Bass) for students ages 5-18.

The 2026 Hawaiʻi State Music Competition will be held live at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Music Department.

2026 HSMC Program Booklet (Coming soon)
Winners' Concert Info

Competition dates

Saturday, October 24, 2026
Sunday, October 25, 2026

Winners’ concert

Wednesday, November 01, 2026 at 4pm HST
Orvis Auditorium, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Music Department

Dates are subject to change pending venue availability, due to circumstances beyond our control.

Eligibility & Levels

  1. The 2026 Hawaiʻi State Music Competition (HSMC) is open to Piano, Violin, Low Strings (Viola, Cello, Bass), for students ages 5-18.

  2. Both students and teachers must be residents of Hawaiʻi.

  3. There will be a four-student limit per level per teacher.

  4. Competition Levels are determined by the student’s age on October 1, 2026. Levels are:

    Pre Level (ages 5-6)
    Level I (ages 7-8)
    Level II (ages 9-10)
    Level III (ages 11-12)
    Level IV (ages 13-15)
    Level V (ages 16-18)

  5. The contestant must have studied with their current teacher for at least six months prior to the competition day and the teacher’s consent is required to compete in the competition.

  6. String Divisions: Level IV and Level V will be divided into Violin and Low Strings (Viola, Cello, Bass). For Pre-Level to Level III, the strings will compete together. Winners will be selected separately for each level.

  7. First Place winners from the Hawaii State Music Competition are not eligible to compete again in the same age level.

  8. Contestants cannot compete in both MTNA Hawaiʻi State Performance Competitions and the Hawaiʻi State Music Competition (HSMC) during the same competition year.

  9. MTNA Hawaiʻi State First-Place Winners and Representatives in the previous competition year (2025) are not eligible to compete in the 2026 HSMC.

  10. If fewer than three (3) contestants are registered in any level, only one (1) judge will preside. The judge’s decision is final. Prizes will be awarded at the judge’s discretion. No cash prize will be awarded in Level V if there are fewer than 3 registrants.


    For questions, please email: competitions@hmta.org