Richmond Symphony League’s 55th Annual Student Concerto Competition

Entries for the 2025–26 competition are now open!

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 2025–26 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 Saturday, January 3, 2026.

AWARD

The Grand Prize Winner will receive $1,000 and be considered for an invitation to perform with the Richmond Symphony during the 2025–26 season.

The Runner-up Prize Winner will receive $750 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 in duration.

Each contestant’s repertoire selection must be approved by Richmond Symphony Education staff before they can formally register. The repertoire approval form will open at midnight on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 and will close at 11:59pm on Friday, December 5, 2025.

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 perform with an accompanist, which they must provide.
• Contestants must provide three (3) physical copies of complete scores of their selections, indicating cuts if necessary. Scores must be mailed to the Richmond Symphony offices preceding the event (more details below).
• 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 Saturday, January 3, 2026.

LOCATION

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

HOW TO ENTER

1. 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 at midnight on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The form will close at 11:59 PM on Friday, December 5, 2025 and submissions will not be accepted after.
2. Complete and submit the online registration form. 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 at midnight on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 and close at 11:59pm on Friday, December 12, 2025. When officially registering, you will be required to submit the following items digitally:
     • Performance resume, including biographical information, not to exceed one (1) page
     • Digital headshot
     • Signed media release form
     • Signed permission form signed by the music instructor and parent/guardian
3. Pay the $40 registration fee, paid through the Richmond Symphony League website. The link to pay the registration fee will be provided after the student’s repertoire has been approved.
4. 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: Anna Mitchell – RSL Concerto Competition
    612 East Grace St., Suite 401
    Richmond, Virginia 23219

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.

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

For questions regarding repertoire, email education@richmondsymphony.com.

For all other questions, including competition order and day-of logistics, email Anne Hoffler at clayandanne1@gmail.com.

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