Richmond Symphony League’s 53nd Annual Student Concerto Competition

Stay tuned for more information about the 2023-2024 competition!

Richmond Symphony League’s 53rd 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 2023-24 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 TBD.

AWARD

Grand Prize Winner will receive $500 and be considered for an invitation to perform with the Richmond Symphony during the 2023/24 season.

Runner-up Prize Winner will receive $250 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, and each contestant’s stage time allotment will be limited to a total of eleven (11) minutes.

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 TBD.

LOCATION

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

HOW TO ENTER (entries are not currently being accepted, please check back)

1. Complete and submit the online registration form below, including $25 application fee. All fields in the registration form must be complete and accurate. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Registration will open on TBD and close on TBD.
2. A confirmation email will be sent letting you know if your concerto repertoire is approved or not. Approved contestants will be emailed a list of materials to be signed and submitted to the Richmond Symphony.

Those materials are: 

• 3 legible paper copies of the score, indicating any cuts to be performed, of the piece that you will be performing at the audition
• Performance resume
• Performer Bio
• Digital Headshot (Please email this to education@richmondsymphony.com)
• Signed media release form
• RSL Concert Competition Application Form printed with Music Instructor and Parent or Guardian Signatures

3. Mail Registration Packet to the Richmond Symphony. Packets will include signed application materials, three (3) copies of score, media waiver, performance resume, and performer bio. A digital headshot should be emailed to education@richmondsymphony.com.

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