Applications for the 2019/20 competition are now open. See below for instructions and guidelines.
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 2019-20 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 by Friday, August 16, 2019. A limited number of candidates will be selected to proceed to the Final Round.
The final round takes place on Sunday, September 22, 2019. 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 2019-20 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 submitted via either an unlisted YouTube link or SoundCloud link, and sent to janice@syso.org. 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. If a rental concerto is performed and the student is chosen to play with the orchestra the cost of the rental will be the sole responsibility of the student.
To Apply, Send Us Your:
- completed application form
- audio recording (can be submitted via unlisted YouTube link or SoundCloud link – email to janice@syso.org)
- $40 entrance fee (submitted by check in the mail along with application)
- 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 Friday, August 16, 2019.
FINAL ROUND
Applicants invited to proceed to the final round will be notified by email on or before August 23, 2019. The final round takes place on Sunday, September 22, 2019. All finalists must be available to participate without exception. Finalists are required to provide their own accompanist. Applicants may prepare an entire concerti, or a movement of a concerti.
Competition winners will be notified by e-mail on or before Tuesday, September 24, 2018. The scheduling and programming of Concerto Competition performances in the 2019-20 season will be at the complete discretion of the Music Director in consultation with judges, coaches and staff conductors.
Feel free to contact Janice Gatti at the SYSO office, 206.362.2300 8am –4pm Tuesday-Friday if you have questions.
2019-2020
Concerto Competition Forms & Documents
GUIDELINES
APPLICATION
Founded in 1942, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra is the largest youth orchestra training program in the United States.
