2025 International Concerto Competition Info

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The Sempre Musick Concerto Competition is an opportunity for amateur and pre-professional musicians to perform as a soloist with a professional orchestra:

I. Special Repertoire for Young Musicians To Perform with Orchestra

Sempre Musick offers young musicians the unique opportunity to play with professional orchestra without having to learn specific concerto repertoire. Sempre Musick commissioned professional composers to create orchestral accompaniment to popular classical masterpieces, without changing a single note in the original scores. 

We also offer a list of original compositions by contemporary composers. 

II. Traditional Concerto Repertoire

Our rich repertoire list includes not only Baroque, Classical, and Romantic concertos, but also contemporary works specially written for young musicians.  

Please see below for eligible repertoire.

About

  • Submission consisting of a video recording of approved repertoire (see bottom of page). 
  • Winners will be invited to perform with the professional Sempre Musick Orchestra.

Eligibility

  • Open to all ages.
  • International applicants welcome. 
  • Repertoire selection: one movement or single composition from the pre-approved repertoire list (see bottom of page), or otherwise pre-approved (Contact Us).
  • Applicants are eligible to submit multiple applications and apply to multiple Sempre Musick events.

Age Categories

Applicants will be divided by age as of January 1: 
  • Elementary (10 and younger)
  • Junior (11-14)
  • Senior (15-18)
  • Collegiate (19-24)
  • Adult (25 and older)

Deadlines and Dates

  • Application and video submission deadline: April 10, 2025
  • Announcement of results: after April 20.
  • Recital fee submission deadline: three days after results are announced.
  • Master class with Conductor: April 20 – May 22
 
  • Winners’ Recitals will be held:
    • Saturday, May 24: Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Methuen, MA
    • Sunday, May 25: Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Methuen, MA
    • Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day): West Parish Church, Andover, MA
    • Saturday, June 7: West Parish Church, Andover, MA (string orchestra only)
  • Performance schedule will be determined by approx. April 25, upon receipt of recital fees.  
  • Participants must be available to perform on any of these dates.
  • 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.

Fees

Application Fee: $160. (Late Fee: $50)

Winners’ Recital Fees:

  • Performance with string orchestra: $115 / minute of performance time (including any orchestral introductions and interludes). 
  • Additional instrumentation, including winds, brass, and timpani: recital fees will be quoted.
  • For performance at Methuen Memorial Music Hall, an additional fee of $180 will apply. 

To reduce the cost of performance, Sempre Musick offers strings-only versions of many Concertos. Please Contact Us with any repertoire questions.

Recital Fees include:

    • Participants with repertoire over 8 minutes in duration will receive a complimentary masterclass with the Sempre Musick Orchestra Conductor (remote, 15 to 30 minutes, based on selected repertoire)
    • All performers will have a live rehearsal with the orchestra on the day of the Recital
    • Two complimentary tickets to Winners’ Recital (additional tickets will be available for purchase)

All fees paid are non-refundable.

Awards and Prizes

  • All contestants will receive judge comments.
  • Award Certificates will be distributed at the Live Winners’ Recitals only, and will not be mailed or emailed.
  • First, Second, and Third Place Winners of the Competition will be invited to perform live with the Sempre Musick Orchestra.
  • Grand Prix winner (if announced) will be invited to perform with the NH Philharmonic Orchestra in the 2025-2026 concert season.
  • Special Award: Solo appearance with the Nashua Chamber Orchestra (New Hampshire) in the 2025-2026 concert season: one contestant may be selected. 
  • Sempre Musick Rising Artist Award: one contestant may be selected to perform with the Sempre Musick Orchestra with a full scholarship. 
  • Additional awards will be determined by the judges after all live performances are completed.

Winners' Recital

  • Winners must be available to perform on any of the listed dates, as will be determined by Sempre Musick after receipt of recital fees. Dates cannot be changed.
  • No warm-up spaces will be available at the concert venues.
  • Performers: formal attire required. 

Rules

  • No repertoire changes are allowed after registration.
  • Decision of the judges is 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.

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Pre-Approved Repertoire List

Participants are welcome to select any single movement from a Concerto on this list, or any single Special Repertoire Composition for their competition video submission and potential performance with orchestra.

Please Note:

  1. Repertoire listed below does not require pre-approval. 
  2. Sempre Musick will consider other repertoire on a case-by-case basis. Please Contact Us prior to submitting your application. Additional fees may apply. 
  3. Sempre Musick reserves the right to disallow repertoire selections for logistical reasons, modify the instrumentation, and make orchestral cuts as deemed appropriate.
Any Instrument (including those not separately listed below)
  • J. S. Bach – any Concerto
  • A. Vivaldi – any Concerto
  • W. A. Mozart – any Concerto
  • F. J. Haydn – any Concerto
I. Special Repertoire for Young Musicians
  • J. S. Bach – Italian Concerto in F Major, BVW 971:
    • I. Allegro
    • II. Molto largo
    • III. Presto
  • J. S. Bach – Minuet in G (BVW 841), from Anna Magdalena’s Notebook
  • C. Petzold – Minuet in G, from Anna Magdalena’s Notebook (1725)
  • A. Scarlatti – Folia (Folies d’Espagne)
  • J. A. Benda – Sonatina in A minor
  • M. Clementi – Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, No. 1:
    • I. Allegro
    • II. Andante
    • III. Vivace
  • M. Clementi – Sonatina in G Major, Op. 36, No. 2:
    • I. Allegretto
    • III. Allegro
    • M. Clementi – Sonatina in G Major, Op. 36, No. 3:
      • I. Spiritoso
  • F. Kuhlau – Sonatina Op. 55, No. 1:
    • I. Allegro
    • II. Vivace
  • W. A. Mozart – Rondo alla turca (from Piano Sonata in A, K.331:III) 
  • L. van Beethoven – Sonatina in G major (Anh. 5, No. 1):
    • I.  Moderato
    • II. Romance
  • F. Burgmuller – Arabesque, Op. 100, No. 2
  • F. Burgmuller – Ballade, Op. 100, No. 15
  • F. Chopin – Waltz in A minor, B150 (Op. posth.)
  • F. Chopin – Waltz in B minor, Op. 69, No. 2
  • F. Chopin – Nocturne in C sharp minor (Op. posth.)
  • F. Mendelssohn – Venetian Boat Song in F sharp minor, Op. 30 No. 6
  • F. Schubert – Waltz in B minor, op. 18 No. 6, D. 145
  • Albert Ellmenreich – Spinning Song
  • Timothy Brown – Cassandra’s Harp
  • A. Peskanov – Piano Solo:
  • A. Peskanov – Piano Duet:
II. Traditional Concerto Repertoire
  • Any Concerto by J. S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, W. A. Mozart, or F. J. Haydn
  • G. J. Vogler – Piano Concerto in C Major
  • L. van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
  • L. van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19
  • L. van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
  • F. Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
  • F. Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
  • F. Chopin – Andante Frederic Chopin “Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante”, Op. 22
  • Robert Schumann – Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
  • Felix Mendelssohn – Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 25
  • Felix Mendelssohn – Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 40
  • Edward Grieg – Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
  • Camille Saint-Saens – Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
  • S. Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
  • D. Shostakovich – Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102
  • Robert Edward Smith – Suite Petite for Piano and Strings
  • Timothy Brown – The Classical Concerto for Piano and Strings
  • Alexander Peskanov – any Concerto
I. Special Repertoire for Young Musicians
Violin:
  • Jules Massenet – Méditation (Thaïs)
II. Concerto Repertoire

Any Instrument:

  • Any Concerto by J. S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, W. A. Mozart, or F. J. Haydn

Additional options – Cello:

  • Edward Elgar – Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
  • Gabriel Fauré – Elegy, Op. 24

Additional options – Violin:

  • A. de Beriot – Violin Concerto No.9, Op.104
  • Ferdinand Kuchler – Concertino in D, Op. 15
  • Felix Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
  • Camille Saint-Saens – Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A minor, Op. 28
  • Friedrich Seitz – Concerto 2 in G major, Op. 13
 
Concerto Repertoire

Any Instrument:

  • Any Concerto by J. S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, W. A. Mozart, or F. J. Haydn

Additional options – Alto Saxophone:

  • Alexander Peskanov – Maryland Concerto
  • Alexander Peskanov – Mama’s Blues

Additional options – Trumpet:

  • N. Hummel – Trumpet Concerto in E (or E-flat) major, S. 49
  • Alexander Peskanov – Royal Concerto
I. Special Repertoire for Young Musicians
Violin:
  • Jules Massenet – Méditation (Thaïs)

Clarinet:

  • Jules Massenet – Méditation (Thaïs)
 
II. Concerto Repertoire

Any Instrument:

  • Any Concerto by J. S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, W. A. Mozart, or F. J. Haydn

Additional options – Flute:

  • Alexander Peskanov – Irish Poem
  • Alexander Peskanov – Equestrian Suite

Additional options – Oboe:

  • This includes W. A. Mozart – Flute (Oboe) Concerto No.2 in D major, K. 314.
Concerto Repertoire
  • Any Concerto by J. S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, W. A. Mozart, or F. J. Haydn
  • Marcel Grandjany – Aria in Classic Style (for Harp and Strings)
  • Georg Friedrich Handel – Harp Concerto in B-flat major, Op. 4, No. 6
  • Robert Edward Smith – Concerto for Harp and Strings
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