Richmond Symphony League’s 55th Annual Student Concerto Competition

Entries for this competition are now open!

Richmond Symphony League’s 55th Annual Student Concerto Competition

Since 1969, the Richmond Symphony League has hosted this student concerto competition to encourage and recognize young musicians from Virginia. The first-prize winner will receive a cash award and be considered for an invitation to perform with the Richmond Symphony during the 2024-25 season. The competition is open to classically-trained instrumental music students from Virginia who have not graduated from high school who play woodwind, brass, string, piano, and percussion instruments.

COMPETITION

Students who are accepted to participate will compete in-person on Jan. 4, 2025.

AWARD

Grand Prize Winner will receive $750 and be considered for an invitation to perform with the Richmond Symphony during the 2025–26 season.

Runner-up Prize Winner will receive $500 and be considered for an invitation to perform for a Richmond Symphony League event.

ELIGIBILITY

Student instrumentalists who have not yet graduated from high school and reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia are eligible.

Participation is limited to the first 40 applicants with completed applications and approved repertoire.

Contestants may only apply to compete with a single selection on one instrument.

REPERTOIRE

Each contestant must perform a concerto movement of standard classical repertoire. The final performance of the winner’s piece may not exceed ten (10) minutes duration.

Each contestant’s repertoire selection must be approved by Richmond Symphony Education Staff.

Contestants whose selection exceeds ten (10) minutes during the competition will not be permitted to continue.

GUIDELINES

• Contestants must perform their approved concerto movement selection from memory.
• Contestants must provide their own accompanists and three (3) physical copies of complete scores of their selections, indicating cuts if necessary.
• Grand Prize Winner must be available for rehearsals and/or performances on TBD.
• All applicants’ parent(s) or guardian(s) must sign a media waiver.
• All applicants must provide their own instruments for audition and performance (except pianists).

ADJUDICATION

All contestants will compete before a panel of judges in a single round on Jan. 4, 2025.

LOCATION

W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University (922 Park Ave, Richmond, VA 23220)

HOW TO ENTER

• Complete and submit the repertoire approval form. A confirmation email will be sent letting you know if your concerto repertoire is approved or not. The form will open on October 21, 2024. The form will close at 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 12 and submissions will not be accepted after. 
• Complete and submit the online registration form, including the $35 application fee. More information on registering and paying this fee will be sent to you via email when the Richmond Symphony Education Team confirms that your repertoire has been approved. All fields in the registration form must be complete and accurate. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Registration will open on October 21, 2024 and close on December 15, 2024. When officially registering, you will be required to submit the following items digitally:
  • Performance resume, including biographical information.
  • Digital headshot
  • Signed media release form
  • Signed permission form signed by the music instructor and parent/guardian
  • Please note that participation is limited to the first 40 applicants with completed applications and approved repertoire. If 40 applicants officially register before the deadline, registration for this year’s competition will close early.

• Mail 3 legible paper copies of the score, indicating any cuts to be performed, of the piece that you will be performing at the audition.

Packets should be mailed to:

Richmond Symphony
Attn: RSL Concerto Competition
612 East Grace St., Suite 401
Richmond, Virginia 23219

IMPORTANT

This year’s Richmond Symphony League Concerto Competition will be limited to no more than 40 contestants. After 40 complete qualifying applications are received, no more submissions will be accepted. Complete your application as early as possible for the best possibility of ensuring your acceptance to the competition.

We will accept submissions until the designated deadline or until all 40 audition slots have been filled.

FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES

Please contact the Richmond Symphony Education department by email: education@richmondsymphony.com

To get your repertoire approved and begin the application process, click here!