Each year students who study instrumental performance in the School of Music can compete to perform as a concerto soloist with the UW Symphony Orchestra.
There are 3 areas that may compete in the concerto competition:
- keyboard (piano, organ, harpsichord)
- strings (violin, viola, cello, bass - including baroque instruments)
- winds, brass, percussion, harp, and guitar
Every year each group will hold its own competition in Brechemin Auditorium (or another suitable space). Each group will have two judges from outside of the University of Washington. Each group’s competition will be organized by the chairs of the respective programs or may be delegated to another member of the faculty by the program chair. The competitions should take place in November, and should allow for an audience to be present. Each group will have the opportunity to name a single winner who will go on to perform with the UW Symphony later in the year. An alternate may be named, in case the winner is unable to perform for any reason. (It is also possible that no winner, or alternate, be chosen from a competing group).
Competition Guidelines
- To qualify as a candidate, students must be currently enrolled in private lessons at the University of Washington School of Music during the quarter in which they compete. (Students are not required to be Music Majors; Keyboard candidates must be enrolled in MUSICP lessons.)
- Former winners may not compete in the next competition the area holds. They must wait for one competition in their area to occur before they may re-enter. If a student has entered and won the competition twice they are no longer eligible to compete in any ensuing years of academic study.
- The concerto performance with the orchestra may be 15 minutes, or 1 movement (if that movement is longer than 15 minutes).
- All candidates must perform with a pianist. If there is not a reasonable piano reduction available (for a contemporary piece, for example), a simulated orchestral accompaniment may be used.
- Although it will be expected that candidates perform from memory for most concertos, exceptions for contemporary works such as the Ligeti Violin Concerto, and double and triple concertos will be allowed. To perform from the score, competitors will need prior approval from the program chair.
- Baroque instruments should perform at A440, or allow for the possibility of their concerto being performed the following academic year (depending on the orchestra schedule).
- Organists wishing to compete should consult with Professor Terry in order to chose a work that will be suitable for performance in Meany with an available or rented instrument.