Don’t miss this unique opportunity to perform in the incredible Methuen Memorial Music Hall on November 16, 2024! Open to all instruments, including voice.
Apply to perform:
- Perform solo, duet, or as a small ensemble (any single composition from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary musical periods up to six minutes in duration)
- Perform with the Sempre Musick Orchestra (pre-approved repertoire list only, below)
About the Methuen Memorial Music Hall
In 1909, Methuen Memorial Music Hall was purpose-built as a concert hall specifically to house the Great Organ – the first concert organ in the United States, and one of the largest in the world.
With an interior built in an English baroque architectural style, Methuen Memorial Music Hall features exquisite decoration. Despite looking like a traditional church, the Hall has no religious symbolism or affiliation.
With vaulted ceilings 65 feet (20 meters) high, the Hall combines visual splendor with exceptional acoustics. The Hall features a Steinway Model D Concert Grand Piano.
About
- The Winter Serenade Competition is an opportunity to perform in the extraordinary and historic Methuen Memorial Music Hall.
- Performance categories by age and instrument.
- Video submission.
- Live winners’ recital.
Eligibility
- Participants may perform solo and / or with professional string orchestra (see repertoire below).
- Open to all ages and instruments, including voice, piano duet, and small ensembles.
- Student-teacher duets are also encouraged.
- Memorization is required.
- Memorization is not required for duet / ensemble.
- Applicants are eligible to apply to multiple Sempre Musick events.
Repertoire: Solo / Duet / Ensemble
- Solo / Duet / Ensemble applicants: select a single composition of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary musical periods.
- Compositions over six minutes: additional performance fee will apply.
- Please omit repeats.
Repertoire (With String Orchestra)
- Performance with Orchestra applicants: select a single composition or movement.
- Please see the list below for eligible repertoire.
Any Instrument (including those not separately listed below)
Music of Baroque Composers, including Bach, Vivaldi, Telemann, Handel.
Piano
Music of Baroque Composers, including Bach, Vivaldi, Telemann, Handel.
Additional Repertoire:
- J. S. Bach – Any Concerto
- J. S. Bach – Minuet in G, from Anna Magdalena’s Notebook (Petzold)
- J. S. Bach – Italian Concerto in F Major, BVW 971
- J. A. Benda – Sonatina in A minor
- M. Clementi – Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, No. 1
- M. Clementi – Sonatina in G Major, Op. 36, No. 2:
- F. Kuhlau – Sonatina Op. 55, No. 1
- F. Chopin – Waltz in A minor, B150 (posth.)
- F. Chopin – Waltz in B minor, Op. 69, No. 2
- G. J. Vogler – Piano Concerto in C Major
- Timothy Brown – The Classical Concerto for Piano and Strings
- Timothy Brown – Cassandra’s Harp
- Robert Edward Smith – Suite Petite for Piano and Strings
- A. Peskanov:
- Concerto 1, all movements
- Concerto 4, Mvt. 2
- Concerto 15, Mvt. 2
- Concerto 19, Mvt. 1
- Joyride
- Circus
Strings and Winds Instruments
Music of Baroque Composers, including Bach, Vivaldi, Telemann, Handel.
Additional Repertoire – Violin:
J. Massenet – Méditation (Thaïs)
F. Kuchler – Concertino in D, Op. 15
F. Seitz – Concerto 2 in G major, Op. 13
Additional Repertoire – Clarinet:
J. Massenet – Méditation (Thaïs)
- Other repertoire: please Contact Us.
Age Categories
- Elementary (10 and younger)
- Junior (11-14)
- Senior (15-18)
- Collegiate (19-24)
- Amateur Adult (25 and older)
Deadlines and Dates
- Application deadline (including submission of video): October 27, 2024.
- Results announced by October 30, 2024.
- Winners Recital: November 16, 2024 at the Methuen Memorial Music Hall.
- Recital fee submission deadline: November 2, 2024.
Fees
- Application Fees:
- Solo: $120
- Duet / Ensemble: $80 per participant
- With Orchestra: $160
- Winners’ Recital Fee:
- Solo Performance: $165 for repertoire up to six minutes in duration.
- A fee of $35 per additional minute applies for repertoire over six minutes in duration.
- Duet, and Ensemble: $105 per participant for repertoire up to six minutes in duration.
- A fee of $35 per additional minute applies for repertoire over six minutes in duration.
- Performance with Orchestra: flat $150 + $120 per minute of performance
- Solo Performance: $165 for repertoire up to six minutes in duration.
- Recital Fee includes two complimentary tickets to live performance. Additional tickets will be available for sale.
- All fees paid are non-refundable.
Awards and Prizes
- All contestants will receive comments from the judge.
- Award Certificates will be distributed during the Winners’ Recital only, and will not be sent by email or mail.
- Special Music Awards:
- Special award for best performance for solo, ensemble, and concerto composition by Timothy Brown.
- Additional prizes and awards may be announced!
Winners' Recital
- First, Second, and Third Place Winners will be invited to perform in the live Winners’ Recital in the Methuen Memorial Music Hall on November 16.
- Rehearsals with the orchestra will be scheduled on the same day.
- No warm-up spaces will be available at the concert venue.
- Performers: formal attire required.
Rules
- Decision of the judges is final.
- No repertoire changes are allowed after registration.
- Performance should be without repeats.
- Assigned rehearsal and concert times are final.
- Sempre Musick reserves the right to cancel orchestra performances if participation does not meet the minimum required number of applicants or in case of unforeseen logistical challenges, with notice provided to the affected applicants.
- Additional details may be added closer to the event.