Western New York Emerging Artists

Concerto Competition

Application

Eligiblity

  • Candidates must be current, officially enrolled students in a high school, undergraduate program, or graduate program.

  • The student's school or program must be located within one of the following five designated counties: Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara County, Orleans, or Wyoming.

  • Previous Grand Prize winners are not eligible to compete.

Awards

  • Grand Prize: Solo performance of the winning concerto or movement with Avanti Music during the designated concert season, plus a monetary award of $500. 

  • Runner-Up Prize: A $200 monetary award and a recognition certificate.

Performance

  • The winner will perform a concerto or a movement of a concerto no longer than 30 minutes in length on 02/27/2027 with Avanti. Candidates must commit to attending all mandatory rehearsals with Avanti.

Application

  • Application Open Date: February 1st, 2026

  • Application Deadline: April 1st, 2026 (11:59 PM EST).

    Required materials include:

  • Official application form

  • Non-refundable $40 application fee.

  • Current proof of enrollment from an eligible institution.

  • Two letters of recommendation.

  • Pre-screening video


Auditions

  • Candidates will be notified whether or not they are invited to participate in an in-person audition no later than May 1st, 2026 (one month after the application deadline).

  • In-person auditions will take place on a single date between late May and mid-June (exact date TBC). Winners will be announced within one week of the audition date. All candidates will be notified regardless.

Repertoire Requirements: Candidates must perform one movement of a standard, published concerto (or equivalent concert piece with orchestral accompaniment).

  • The chosen work must have available and affordable orchestral parts suitable for Avanti Music.

  • Performance time limits: A maximum of 10 minutes is strictly enforced.

Accompaniment and Materials

  • Candidates are solely responsible for securing their own piano accompanist for the live audition.

  • Candidates must provide three (3) unmarked copies of the piano/reduced score for the judges, with all measures numbered and any cuts clearly indicated.

Judging Panel: The panel will consist of five individuals drawn directly from Avanti Music's leadership and membership.

  • Music Director

  • Assistant Conductor

  • Three musicians selected from Avanti Music.

Scoring: Judges will score candidates out of a total of 100 points based on the following weighted criteria:

  • Technical Command (30 points): Accuracy of rhythm, intonation, and clarity in difficult passages.

  • Artistic Interpretation (40 points): Stylistic integrity, emotional depth, use of dynamics, and mature phrasing.

  • Potential for Orchestral Collaboration (20 points): Projection, stage presence, confidence, and suitability of the piece for the Avanti Music orchestra setting.

  • Memorization (10 points): Security and mastery demonstrated by performing without the score.