The Concerto Competition is an opportunity for amateur and pre-professional musicians to perform as a soloist with a professional orchestra. Our rich repertoire list includes not only Baroque, Classical, and Romantic concertos, but also contemporary works specially written for young musicians.
Previous
Next
About
- Submission consisting of video recording of approved Concerto repertoire.
- Winners will be invited to perform with the professional Sempre Musick Orchestra.
Eligibility
- Open to all ages.
- International applicants welcome.
- Repertoire selection: one movement from the Concerto Competition Pre-Approved Repertoire List, or otherwise pre-approved (by special arrangement).
- Memorization is required.
- Applicants are eligible to 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 7
- Announcement of results: by April 12
- Recital fee submission deadline: April 15
- Master class with Conductor: April 20 – May 22
- Winners’ Recitals will be held in Andover, MA:
- May 25, May 26, or May 27 (Memorial Day), or June 8
- Schedule will be determined by May 1 upon receipt of recital fees.
- Participants must be available to perform on any of these dates.
Fees
Application Fee: $150.
Winners’ Recital fees:
- Performance with string orchestra:
- Repertoire up to 3 minutes long: fixed fee of $350.
- Repertoire up to 5 minutes long: fixed fee of $550.
- Repertoire longer than 5 minutes: estimated cost $105 / minute.
- Additional instrumentation, including winds and timpani: recital fees will be quoted.
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:
- Master class with the Sempre Musick Orchestra Conductor (remote, 15 to 30 minutes, based on selected repertoire)
- Live rehearsal with the orchestra for all performers 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 an Award Certificate or Certificate of Participation, and judge comments.
- First, Second, and Third Place Winners of the Competition will be invited to perform live with the Sempre Musick Orchestra.
- Grand Prix winner will be invited to perform with the NH Philharmonic Orchestra in the 2024-2025 concert season.
- Special Award: Solo appearance with the Nashua Chamber Orchestra (New Hampshire) in the 2024-2025 concert season: one contestant will be selected.
- Sempre Musick Rising Artist Award: one contestant may be selected to perform with the Sempre Musick Orchestra with a full scholarship.
- Special Music Awards:
- Special award for best performance of a composition by Timothy Brown.
- Special award for best performance of a composition by Romeo Melloni.
- Special award for best performance of a composition by Alexander Peskanov.
- The best performer of a composition by Alexander Peskanov will be advanced to the final round of the BMTG Intercontinental Music Competition.
- Additional prizes and awards may be announced!
Winners' Recital
- Winners must be available to perform on any of these dates, as will be determined by Sempre Musick after receipt of recital fee. 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.
- Additional details may be added closer to the event.
Sign up to receive occasional email updates about our events: