Youth Concerto Competition

The winners of the two divisions and their principal teachers will be awarded $500 each. In addition, the winners may be invited to solo with the Maui Chamber Orchestra at its March 23 and 24, 2019 regular season concert. In that event, travel and accommodation costs for each winner and a chaperone will be subsidized by Maui Chamber Orchestra. Students who receive honorable mention will be recognized on the MCO website and may be invited to play at MCO events or masterclasses.

The panel of judges reserves the right not to select a soloist or divisional winner, and if a winner is not chosen from one division, a second winner may be chosen from within the other division. All decisions of the judges are final regarding designating winners, the division of award monies, and whether or not a student is invited to perform with the orchestra. Programmatic considerations, scheduling, and student readiness are among the factors used in determining what, if any, performance opportunities will be offered. Awardees will be announced on the MCO website. All students will receive comment sheets from judges.

The application (Google survey) must be submitted by midnight (HST) December 14, 2018, and the $25 application mailed to the address below no later than January 4, 2019.

The competition will take place on January 19, 2019, at the Maui Music Conservatory at the Queen Ka’ahamanu Center, from approximately 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm. You may request a preferred audition time, and we will do our best to accommodate it, but we cannot guarantee you will receive your preferred time. You will be notified of your time by email by December 21, 2018. In-person auditions are far preferable, but students for whom it would pose an insurmountable financial burden to travel to Maui with their accompanist may make alternate arrangements. Email us here if you would like to discuss this possibility.

All applicants must have their solo movement approved by the music review board prior to being admitted into the competition. We will notify you shortly after we receive your application whether your movement is approved. No later than one month before the competition you must email PDF of the score (with piano reduction of the orchestra, and any cuts marked) to ConcertoCompetition@mauichamberorchestra.org.

Your selection must have an orchestral accompaniment available that is appropriate for a chamber orchestra. High rental fees for music the MCO does not own or is able to borrow may result in the winner being required to share in the rental cost. Applicants may want to consider this in selecting repertoire.

The solo movement must be performed from memory, with accompaniment. You must provide your own accompanist (who is permitted to use a score). The solo (movement) presented cannot exceed ten minutes in length; in the competition audition, the judges may ask for cuts. Cadenzas should be performed and lengthy tuttis should be omitted. Double concerti are acceptable.