2023 Competition Details

Competition format: In person, must not exceed 10 minutes
Application and video deadline: Midnight on March 1, 2023 (end of day March 1)
Competition date and time: Xi C Province Day on March 11, 2023
Available prize funds: $500
2022 Competition Chair: Rachel Davis, rachelgcassidy@gmail.com

The winner(s) will be notified by the end of Province Day.
Please be sure to read the eligibility requirements and application instructions below.

Eligibility

Applicants must be an initiated member, in good standing, of the Sigma Upsilon or Mu Tau chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. Furthermore, they must be enrolled at the University of Denver or Colorado State University for the semester in which the competition occurs. No applicant will be eligible who has won the immediate prior competition. Please note that part-time and full-time undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to enter, as are certificate and diploma students. We reserve the right to verify that applicants are in good standing with the Fraternity in order to ensure eligibility.

Applicants may enter the Competition as a soloist or with a group. If entering as a group, the main performer(s) must be members of Sigma Upsilon and/or Mu Tau. However, it’s not required that all members of the group be members of SAI. If a group wins the Competition, they will split the allotted prize funds.

The results of the competition will be announced after all performances have been completed. We will request a mailing address from the winner to mail prize funds, in the form of a check. The winner will perform at a designated Denver Alumnae Chapter meeting, to be determined by the chapter. Prize funds are encouraged to be used for furthering the winner’s education and/or professional development in music.

How to apply

Fill out this google form before the end of day, March 1, 2023.

Chair contact information: Rachel Davis at rachelgcassidy@gmail.com.

Repertoire

Total performance time per applicant must not exceed ten minutes. Contrasting movements or pieces are preferred. Please showcase multiple aspects of musicality. Memorization is encouraged. Don’t forget to bring physical copies of your music to the event. Please consult with the competition chair if you need assistance with printing.

Accompanists

Applicants must arrange for their own accompanist(s) and instruments if needed. A Grand Piano, chairs, and music stands will be provided. Please reach out to the competition chair if you have any specific instrument needs we should be aware of.

About the Kyhl Competition

The JoAnne Kyhl Memorial Performance Competition is open to active members, in good standing, of the Sigma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver and the Mu Tau chapter of Colorado State University.

This long-running competition was renamed in 2018 to honor Denver Alumnae member JoAnne Kyhl, who passed away in 2017. Kyhl was a violist and conductor, as well as composer of many vocal and instrumental pieces. An Iowa native, Kyhl earned her PhD in composition from the University of Minnesota and spent time studying in Europe.

Professionally, Kyhl held multiple college faculty positions and performed in multiple instrumental and choral ensembles. Her compositions were publicly performed on numerous occasions. In 2011, Kyhl was admitted to the SAI Composers’ Bureau.

Kyhl was initiated into the Beta Xi chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, located at University of Texas, Austin. She affiliated with Denver Alumnae in 1973, beginning an illustrious career of service that left a lasting impact on both alumnae and collegiate chapters alike. Along with serving in multiple officer roles for the chapter, she served on this competition’s committee, as an advisor to the Eta Kappa chapter of SAI, and for nearly 25 years co-chaired an annual Panhellenic Musicale, hosted by Denver Alumnae.

Kyhl’s commitment to SAI, to women musicians, and to women students of music has left a lasting impact that Denver Alumnae is honored to carry on.