The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra sponsors an annual competition among the best music students in the area. Students work with their teachers to select and prepare a solo piece, then perform it for members of the BSO. We then award the top performers a scholarship and arrange for them to play their chosen piece as a soloist with the BSO during our regular concert season. Violinist Joshua Bell was one of our first winners!
Check out the 2024 winner winner Catelijne Hunt, violin, who will play Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Saens with the BSO in March 2025.
Details on the 2025 competition:
2025 BSO Youth Concerto Competition Information
The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra is now accepting applications for its annual Youth Concerto Competition.
Deadline to apply is January 4, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.
In-person auditions are Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10am-2pm at Faith Lutheran Church
Video auditions will be accepted through January 16th only in case of a scheduling conflict.
Apply here: 2025 BSO YCC Application
2025 BSO YCC Rules of Participation
Rules of Participation
Eligibility:
1. Entrants can include any instrumental musician up to high school graduates of Spring 2025, and must be under 20 years old as of January 18, 2025.
2. The competition is open to Indiana residents of Monroe, Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Morgan, or Owen counties.
3. Previous BSO Youth Concerto Competition winners are not eligible to compete.
Application
1. This application is due no later than 11:59 PM EDT on Saturday, January 4, 2025.
Audition:
1. The competition will be held in-person at Faith Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 10:00am-2:00 pm.
2. Video auditions will be accepted only in case of a scheduling conflict. Send a link to a file or video on Google Drive, Dropbox, or Youtube by January 16th, 11:59pm. Make sure settings allow for anybody with the link to be able to view it. Also send a PDF of the music for the judges to follow along. Send all info to ycc@bloomingtonsymphony.com
3. There may be two in-person rounds: a preliminary and final round. Both may be recorded for judging purposes.
4. Applicants will perform a piece of music that has an orchestral accompaniment, not to exceed 15 minutes in length.
5. An accompianist will not be provided, but a piano will be available if you want to bring your own accompianist. A 2nd piano (professional electronic keyboard) will be available for piano concertos
6. Entrants must provide five copies of their musical score for the judges.
Judging/winnings:
1. The results of the competition will be announced by the end of February 2025. All entrants will receive a phone call from the BSO Music Director after a decision is confirmed, and all entrants will receive notes from the judges. All decisions by the judges are final. The panel of judges includes the BSO Music Director Ryo Hasegawa, and other musicians of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra.
2. The BSO Youth Concerto Competition winner will receive a $300 cash prize. The Runner-up will receive a $200 cash prize. The judges reserve the right not to award a winner or runner-up.
3. The winner and runner up may be offered the opportunity to perform live with the orchestra during the 2025-2026 season.
Please contact us if you have any questions, need help choosing appropriate music, or need any other support. We will make every effort possible to assist you.
ycc@bloomingtonsymphony.com
812-369-4212
Apply here: 2025 BSO YCC Application
Many thanks to our corporate sponsor, Baird Private Wealth Management for making this event possible!
Please contact us at ycc@bloomingtonsymphony.com for more information on the BSO Youth Concerto Competition, or any of or other education and outreach programs.