Richmond Symphony Orchestra League’s
47th Annual Student Concerto Competition
January 6, 2018
W. E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts
on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University

Once each season, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra League (RSOL) hosts a student concerto competition to encourage and recognize talented young musicians from Virginia. First-prize winners receive a cash award plus an invitation to perform with the Richmond Symphony during the 2017-18 season. The competition is open to Virginia students in elementary through senior high school who play piano, violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, harp or percussion.  Complete details below.

Congratulations to all who participated in the 2017 Competition.

2017 Winners:

Sterling Elliott, Cello
Thomas Kim, Piano

Awards

The first place winner will receive $500 and an invitation to play with the Richmond Symphony.  The second place winner will receive $250 and a performance opportunity.  The decision of the judges is final.  If, in the opinion of the judges, no contestant is qualified, any of the awards may be withheld.  First-place winners are disqualified from participating in the year immediately following their award.

Music Selection

Competitors may pick their selection from the list of approved concertos.  Competitors must perform the selection indicated on their Application Form.  Substitutions are not allowed.

Guidelines

1. The applicant must be prepared to play, in its final form, the concerto or movement(s) that he/she wishes to perform.
2. Memorization is required.
3. The applicant must bring his/her own accompanist to play orchestra reduction.  If you are in need of an accompanist, please contact Aimee Halbruner ahalbruner [at] richmondsymphony.com for assistance.
4. The applicant is required to bring two original scores of the soloist’s part for the judges.  If the edition of the music is in the public domain, copies or print-outs from the internet are acceptable.
5. Mark any cuts with sticky notes.
6. Competition performance will not exceed ten minutes.  If playing time is longer than the time allotted, the judges will terminate the performance without disqualifying the participant.  Accompanists should take appropriate cuts in tutti sections.
7. When choosing repertoire, please keep in mind that the conductor has the right to cut the piece to fit programming requirements (typical length is 8-10 minutes)

Application

Registration is open!

Deadline to apply: December 8, 2017
Application Fee: $25, non-refundable