Concerto Competition

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras is pleased to invite any FSYO Carlo Jazz Band, Philharmonia Orchestra, or Symphonic Orchestra member to audition for the 2023-2024 Concerto Competition. A highlight of the FSYO Concert Season, the Concerto Competition encourages students to step out of their roles within their ensemble and into a soloist's seat. Students compete for a chance to play their solo accompanied by FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director, Dr. James O. Welsch. 

Entry Forms must be completed online and a copy of the solo part along with the $15 entry fee must be submitted to a Carlo Band, Philharmonia Orchestra, or Symphonic Orchestra Ensemble Manager before 5 PM on October 9, 2023. The deadline is final. Submissions may be turned in by completing the online application below. FSYO will pay up to $100.00 in rental costs for orchestral parts and score for the performance with the Symphonic Orchestra. Entrant will pay the remaining amounts.

Concerto Competition: Procedures and Rules

The Concerto Competition provides FSYO Carlo Band, Philharmonia Orchestra, and Symphonic Orchestra students the opportunity to compete for the honor of being a soloist with FSYO's Symphonic Orchestra.

Repertoire

A movement from a solo concerto with orchestra, chamber orchestra, or wind ensemble or a substantial work for solo instrument and orchestra, chamber orchestra, or wind ensemble may be selected for the competition. All works must be approved by the Music Director prior to entering the competition. The maximum length is 15 minutes. If the winning work is longer than 15 minutes, it is subject to a reduction in performance at the discretion of the FSYO Music Director. Take note in choosing repertoire that FSYO will pay up to $100.00 in rental costs for orchestral parts and score for the performance with the Symphonic Orchestra. Final Round Winners will be responsible for any remaining incurred costs. It is recommended that all music be memorized for the Preliminary Round, Final Round Competition, and eventual performance.

Eligibility

The Concerto Competition is open to all woodwind, brass, string, and percussion students of FSYO's Carlo Band, Philharmonia Orchestra, and Symphonic Orchestra. Contestants must be a member in good standing of FSYO for at least one full season prior to the season in which they enter the competition. Students who have performed as a soloist with the orchestra during a previous year's competition may not re-enter the competition. Concertos/pieces that feature more than one soloist are acceptable. In this scenario, all solo parts must be played by separate members, and those members must audition together for the competition.

Deadlines

Entry Forms must be completed online and a copy of the solo part along with the $15 entry fee must be submitted to a Carlo Band, Philharmonia Orchestra, or Symphonic Orchestra Ensemble Manager before 5 PM on October 9, 2023. The deadline is final. All music selections must be approved by the Music Director prior to entry.

Preliminary Round

All contestants will play their complete selection unaccompanied for the preliminary round (no exceptions). Preliminaries will be held in-person at FYSO's Office (3203 Lawton Road Suite 170, Orlando, FL 32803) on Saturday, October 28, 2023. You will be scheduled for a time and notified of the time no less than one week in advance. Memorization is optional for this round. The Preliminary Round will result in advancing a maximum of eight contestants to the finals. FSYO Conductors act as judges of the panel for the Preliminary Round. All panel rankings, scoring, and deliberations are held in strict confidentiality. Written comments from the panel of judges will be sent by email to each contestant from the FSYO Administrative Team.

Final Round

The Final Round, featuring no more than eight contestants, will be held Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 5 PM at Timucua Arts Foundation (2000 S Summerlin Ave, Orlando, FL 32806). The FSYO Music Director will assemble a suitable panel of three impartial judges, each representing expertise in one of the categories of woodwinds, brass, and strings for the Final Round. Additionally, the FSYO Music Director will act as a non-voting member of this panel. The deliberations of the judges shall remain confidential and their decision final. All panel rankings and scoring are to be held in strict confidentiality.

Each contestant is responsible for arranging their own accompanist. Works that utilize standard cuts in professional performance may be performed in this manner. Students shall provide one complete original piano score and two additional scores, that may be photocopied, for the judging panel. Cuts should be clearly marked in all of the scores. Scores are to be handed to the FSYO Administrative Staff at least two days before the Final Round. Memorization is highly recommended but shall not influence the decision of the judges. The competition finals will consist of one session, possibly with intermission included, depending on the total length of works.

From the finalists, winners will be selected to play with the Symphonic Orchestra during the 2023-2024 Season. The performance dates will be announced to the winner(s) as soon as possible by the FSYO Music Director. The winner(s) are required to have their selections memorized for their performances with FSYO Symphonic Orchestra.

Other information

Each Final Round contestant will be scheduled for a rehearsal in the recital hall for a MAXIMUM of 15 minutes on the day of the competition. Scheduling will be arranged through the FSYO Administrative Team.