The 2023-24 application is now closed.
The Competition
SYSO holds an annual Concerto Competition each year for students that are placed in an Academic Year Orchestra or participating in Seattle Conservatory of Music. This competition offers an exciting experience for musicians to perform their concerto with one of SYSO’s orchestras. There are two divisions of the competition, and takes place in two rounds.
The Preliminary Round consists of adjudicated evaluations of video recorded performances and teacher recommendation. We will receive application materials on June 1 until August 7, 2023. Applications and recordings must be submitted by August 7. Finalists will be announced publicly on or before August 21, 2023.
The Final Round takes place on Sunday, September 10, 2023. Finalists will perform their selected concerti with piano accompaniment for a jury of distinguished musicians, including SYSO conductors and other musical leaders from the community.
Competition winners will perform their concerti during the 2023-2024 season.
Divisions
The Intermediate Division is open to current Academic Year Orchestra Program (Symphonette & Debut Symphony Orchestras) and Seattle Conservatory of Music musicians*.
The Advanced Division is open to current students from Junior & Youth Symphony Orchestras and Seattle Conservatory of Music musicians*. The winners selected from each division in the Concerto Competition will have the opportunity to play their winning concerto, or a movement of it upon artistic discretion, at one of SYSO’s concert series performances during the 2023-2024 season.
For students in Debut for the 2022-23 season: If you are enrolled in Debut for the 2022-23 Season, but are placed in Junior for the 2023-24 Season, your entry will be considered for the Advanced Division.
*Seattle Conservatory of Music students not part of the Academic Year Orchestra Program will be placed in the division that best fits their playing level.
Rounds
THE PRELIMINARY ROUND
By August 7, applicants must submit a live, unedited video recording of a concerto or concerto movement of no more than 30 minutes in length. The recording must be in video format through an unlisted YouTube link. Recordings with evidence of editing will be disqualified.
THE FINAL ROUND
Applicants invited to proceed to the final round will be notified by email on or before Monday, August 21. The final round takes place on Sunday, September 10, 2023. All finalists must be available to participate in person without exception. All finalists must provide their own accompanist.
Applicants may prepare an entire concerto or a movement of a concerti. Winners of the competition must play the piece in concert that they entered in the competition. Competition winners will be notified by September 25.
Dates & Timeline
June 1 – 2023-24 Competition application live
August 7 – Audition videos and applications due
By August 21 – Finalists notified of advancement
September 10 – Final round at Shorecrest High School – Attendance required
By September 25 – Concerto Competition Winners Announced
Apply
Non-refundable application fee: $60.
Students will prepare the following:
- A live, unedited video recording of an entire concerto (or selected movements) or a similar solo instrumental work with orchestra of no more than 30 minutes in length. Recording must be in video format as an unlisted YouTube link. Recordings with evidence of editing or cuts will be disqualified.
- A letter of recommendation from your music teacher or other professional musician
- A brief resume of your musical and educational history.
Students are encouraged to submit contemporary works, as long as these works have an arrangement for full orchestra. Double check details with your private instructor, or reach out to us at info@syso.org if you have questions.
Founded in 1942, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra is the largest youth orchestra training program in the United States.
