Concerto Competition

Now accepting applications for the 2018/19 Concerto Competition

ELIGIBILITY

The competition is open to any SYSO student performing in the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra or Junior Symphony Orchestra on any orchestral instrument, including piano. The candidates must be enrolled in SYSO for the academic year of 2018-19 and available to rehearse with the orchestra on several occasions during the season.

GUIDELINES

The competition takes place in two rounds. The preliminary round consists of adjudicated evaluations of recorded performances and teacher recommendations. Application materials and recordings are due in the SYSO office by Friday, August 24, 2018. A limited number of candidates will be selected to proceed to the Final Round.

The final round takes place on Sunday, September 16, 2018. Finalists will perform their selected concerti with piano accompaniment for a jury of distinguished musicians

Competition winners will perform with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra or the Junior Symphony Orchestra in the 2018-2019 season.

PRELIMINARY ROUND

Applicants must submit a live, unedited recording of a concerto or a concerto movement of no more than 30 minutes in length. The recording must be in compact disc format (CD, CDR. CDRW, etc) and playable on any standard CD player or computer disc drive. Recordings with accompaniment are strongly encouraged but not required. Recordings with evidence of editing will be disqualified.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to select concerti from the standard repertoire as budget allocations for music rental are limited and are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

To Apply, Send Us Your:

completed application form
audio recording
$40 entrance fee
letter of recommendation from your music teacher or other professional musician
brief resume of your musical and educational history

Mail To:
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
Concerto Competition
11065 5th Ave. NE, Suite A
Seattle, WA 98125

Applications must be in the SYSO office by August 24, 2018.

FINAL ROUND

Applicants invited to proceed to the final round will be notified by mail on or before Monday, September 1, 2018. The final round takes place on Sunday, September 16, 2018. All finalists must be available to participate without exception. Finalists are required to provide their own accompanist. Applicants are required to prepare entire concerti, however the judges reserve the right to request excerpts of works exceeding 20 minutes in length.

Competition winners will be notified by email on or before September 23, 2018. The scheduling and programming of Concerto Competition performances in the 2018-2019 season will be at the complete discretion of the Music Director in consultation with judges, coaches and staff conductors. In certain instances, candidates auditioning with complete concerti may be invited to perform only selected movements.

For additional information and questions please contact Janice Gatti at the SYSO office, 206.362.2300 9am –5pm Tuesday-Friday.