The VCU Symphony and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concerto and Aria Competition
The university’s Concerto and Aria Competition is open to students from the following areas:
- Woodwinds
- Brass
- Percussion
- Voice
- Keyboard
- Guitar
- Strings
Students must receive a recommendation from a member of their studio’s faculty in order to audition.
Competition
The competition features two rounds - a preliminary and a final round. It will be held from 3:30 to 7 p.m. in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall on Oct. 30, 2009. One winner for each ensemble will be determined by a panel of three judges with the final results posted on the orchestra and band bulletin boards.
The deadline for submitting your application form is Friday October 23 at 4:00pm. Click here to download the form. Please put your completed form in Prof. Myssyk's box.
The Rounds
Preliminary Round
A three-member jury will listen to candidates who will perform no more than an 8-minute excerpt from their piece before an audience.
Final Round
In the final round (again open to the general public) the jury will listen to finalists performing their entire selection. Following the final round, the jury will announce the names of the winners of the Competition
Concert
The winners will perform their concerto (or one movement, depending on the length) with the VCU Symphony Orchestra at its concert on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 at 8 p.m. or the Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall.
Regulations
Eligibility
Any full-time student enrolled in a private lesson for the fall 2009 semester is eligible to compete.
Requirements
Solos must be memorized. The participants should provide their own accompanist.
Length
Audition pieces must be a minimum of eight minutes and a maximum of 20 minutes. Shorter pieces should be a complete work or, in the case of longer works, one movement only.
Instrumentation
Minimum chamber orchestra size: 2, 2, 2, 2 – 2, 2, 0, 0, timp, str
Those auditioning for the SWE concert must provide information regarding availability of the wind accompaniment.
Repertoire
Standard or rental. Please have knowledge of score and parts availability prior to your audition. Winner(s) must perform the same repertoire as auditioned. Ensembles of duos to quintets are not acceptable. Vocalists may perform concert arias or opera selections.
Please contact Daniel Myssyk for additional information.
