The Concerto Competition will be held during the Spring of 2010 for performance during the 2010-2011 academic year.  There are five competition areas each year: Violin, Lower Strings, Piano, and Voice, with the fourth category alternating each year between Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion and Guitar/Harp.  This year’s fourth category will be Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion.  Please read the following competition procedures very carefully.

Eligibility
Applicants must be current full-time students at the Conservatory.  Winners who are chamber music majors will be expected to play in one orchestra concert during the year of the competition or the year of the performance, as arranged with the orchestra conductor.

If a winning student graduates before the semester of the performance, he or she must commit to return for the performance at his or her own expense. If a winning student does not return to the Conservatory (i.e. transfers or takes a leave of absence), he or she forfeits the chance to perform. If a cancellation should occur, an alternate may be asked to perform.

Former SFCM Concerto Competition winners are ineligible.

Repertoire
Repertoire chosen for the Competition must be suitable for performance with the Conservatory Orchestra.  The winning work may, with approval from the Dean and the ensemble directors involved, be performed on a New Music Ensemble concert. 

Repertoire in the competition must be submitted to Michael Schroeder by the deadline to determine availability of score/parts and feasibility of performance.  If you have any doubts about your chosen piece, contact your teacher or Mr. Schroeder.

Any area may choose to specify repertoire (for example by work, composer, period, etc.) in any given year.

Repertoire may not be repeated for two full years after the year of performance.  The list of ineligible works is found here.

Application
The application will be available online as PDF, Word, or HTML document, as well as in the Orchestra Office (Room S-17).  Submit a completed application to Michael Schroeder by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2009.  You may leave the application in his box or stop by his office.  This deadline is not flexible.

Competition
Concerto Competitions will be held on the dates below, varying by department, in the Concert Hall.  Specific audition times will be determined at a later date, depending on cancellations and accompanist availability.

Works performed in the competition must be memorized.  Exceptions may be made for some works (i.e. contemporary music, chamber works or oratorio) with prior approval from the appropriate departments.

In preliminary rounds, the judges may decide whether or not to hear the entire work.  Entire works must be performed in the final rounds.  If an area has only one round of competition, complete works must be performed.

The student must engage his or her own accompanist.  Please make sure the accompanist is available for both preliminary and final rounds.

Voice
Prelims: February 7, 2010: 5 pm - 10 pm    
Finals: February 10, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion
Prelims: February 21, 2010: 6 pm - 10 pm (note later start time)
Finals: February 24, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Violin
Prelims: March 7, 2010:  5 pm - 10 pm
Finals: March 10, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Lower Strings
Prelims: March 14, 2010: 5 pm - 10 pm  
Finals: March 17, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Piano
Prelims: April 11, 2010:  5 pm - 10 pm
Finals: April 14, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Judges
All judges will be given the same instructions for the selection of winners.  Each instrumental area will determine its own competition format (i.e. one round or two).  The judges may elect to choose no winner.

Each competition will seat at least three judges on its panel.  These judges will be unaffiliated with the Conservatory.  If time allows, the judges will provide written comments for the auditionees. 

Results of both rounds will be announced directly after the auditions and posted on the website and the Orchestra Boards.

Information and Questions
All procedural questions should be referred to Michael Schroeder or other acting coordinator.  Responsibilities of the coordinator may include audition timing, set-up, posting of information, judges’ liaison, moderating disputes, trouble-shooting and approving repertoire with departmental input.  Please contact Mr. Schroeder, Orchestra Manager, at 415.503.6267 or via email at mds@sfcm.edu.