About Us

 

We of the National Guild of Piano Teachers are delighted to welcome you as a member of the largest, non-profit organization of piano teachers in the world! The Piano Guild, a division of the American College of Musicians, was founded in 1929 by Dr. Irl Allison. Forty-six entrants participated in the first Audition (then called a “Tournament”) at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Since then student/teacher membership has grown to over 118,000 participating Nationally/Internationally in the Guild goals and awards each year.

The American College of Musicians consists of several parts:

1. The National Guild of Piano Teachers (NGPT): The primary function of the NGPT is to establish definite goals and awards for piano students of all levels and grades goals for the earliest beginner as well as the artistic adult goals for the less advanced pupil as well as the gifted prodigy.
2. The National (and International) Fraternity of Student Musicians (NFSM): The National Guild’s an organization consist of students participating in Guild Auditions. Since Auditions are held abroad as well as in the U.S., it is international in scope, and these students automatically become members of NFSM.
3. The International Piano Composition Composition (IPCC): The Guild’s Contest encourages student composers to submit their original compositions for evaluation, critique as well as a possible monetary award.
4. The Raissa Tselentis Johann Sebastian Bach Scholarships (RTJSBS): The Bach Scholarships are awarded in memory of Raissa Tselentis to one pre-college
   age Guild student in Early Bach and one pre-collegiate student in Advanced Bach who have scored the most C’s over A’s. Other than the normal procedure for receipt of a Bach plaque, no additional scholarship application form is required.