The Audrey Thayer Competition is open to serious, competition-minded students who wish to compete against their peers for prizes.
If you have students in school grades 3-12 who would like a higher level competition, this is the event for them. This event is open to both members and non-members of MTNA/CSMTA and Hartford Chapter (to become a member click here). Non-members (and MTNA members who have paid dues after September 30, 2024) may register students but must add an extra $10 registration fee per student.
- Ages: Students in grades 3 through 12 (*proof is required, see below)
- Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026.
- Place: South Church, 90 Main Street, New Britain, CT
- Winners’ Recital: Saturday, May 16, 2026, South United Methodist Church, 1226 Main Street, Manchester, CT
- Registration Deadline: Postmarked no later than March 20, 2026
- Piano Only
*In addition to the registration form and fees, students are also required to submit proof of their school grade. This proof could be a letter from the school teacher or office, a copy of their report card, or some other form of dated document that includes the child’s name and grade.
ELIGIBILITY: Entrants must have studied with their teacher for at least 6 months prior to the audition. Students must be in Grades 3-12.
Teachers: Please download these forms:
History of the Audrey Thayer Competition: The competition began on Sunday, March 9, 1980 as the Student Awards Fund Competition. It was held at the Rocky Hill Congregational Church and included events for voice, piano, strings, guitar, duets, composition, and sight-reading. The competition was created by Patricia Gronback of Wethersfield and Laura Holleran of Newington. The competition was based on the annual Canadian Kiwanis Festival. Patricia and Laura made the first donations to the Hartford Chapter to pay for prizes. Twenty three other teachers and friends contributed to the fund.
Audrey Thayer was a retired public school music teacher who worked tirelessly in the Hartford Chapter Youth Activities program during the 1970s. In May 1980 she passed away. Her family knew of her wish to help the fund and made a generous donation in her name. In 1982 the event became exclusive to pianists, and in 1983 it was officially named the Audrey Thayer Competition, committed to piano students performing at the highest levels of accomplishment.
If you’d like to donate to this competition, please download this form. Thank you!
Questions? Please contact the Chairperson: Tamila Azadaleva: Email Audrey Thayer Competition
Hartford Chapter CSMTA 