Education & Community

Richmond Symphony League’s 56th Annual Student Concerto Competition

Richmond Symphony League’s 56th Annual Student Concerto Competition

Entries for the 2027 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 2027–28 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 2027–28 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 is available on the www.richmondsymphonyleague.org website under the menu item Concerto Competition. If a contestant wishes to play repertoire that is not already on this list, then they may ask the Richmond Symphony League to approve it. For questions about repertoire, contact Anne Hoffler at clayandanne1@gmail.com.

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. Review the Concerto Competition Instruction form, located at richmondsymphonyleague.com under the menu item Concerto Competition.
  2. Select your repertoire from the pre-approved list.
  3. Complete and submit the online registration form and all attachments.
  4. Complete the fee payment process.

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 reach out to Anne Hoffler at clayandanne1@gmail.com.