Richmond Symphony League’s 56th Annual Student Concerto Competition

Entries for the 2026–27 competition will open soon!

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 2026–27 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 2, 2027.

AWARD

The Grand Prize Winner will receive $1,000 and be considered for an invitation to perform with the Richmond Symphony during the 2026–27 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.

A list of eligible repertoire will be posted to this page in late September. If a contestant wishes to play repertoire that is not already on this list, then they may ask Richmond Symphony staff to approve it. More information on this process will be shared in late September.

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. Contestants must bring their scores with them the day of the competition.
• 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 2, 2027.

LOCATION

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

HOW TO ENTER

1. Select your repertoire. A pre-approved list of repertoire will be provided on this page in late September. If the piece you wish to play is not on this page, you may reach out to Richmond Symphony staff to have your piece approved. More information will be available in late September.
2. Complete and submit the online registration form. All fields in the registration form must be complete and accurate. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
   • Registration will open later this fall and close in the winter. 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
     • Up-to-date versions of the media release form and permission form will be shared on this page in late September.
3. Pay the $40 registration fee, paid through the Richmond Symphony League website as part of the registration form.

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

Please visit the Richmond Symphony League website for more information: https://www.richmondsymphonyleague.org/