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BSO Concerto Competition

BSO Concerto Competition Application

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the Concerto Competition for High School Students for the 2024-2025 season. The competition is open to all advanced high school instrumentalists in Massachusetts from grades 10 to 12 and is administered in two rounds.

PRELIMINARY AUDITION ROUND: All applicants should complete the online application and mail the $30 application fee by Friday, December 13, 2024. Please note: Scholarships to waive the $30 application fee are available for students demonstrating financial need. To be considered, simply check the “Scholarship Fund” box in the application.

FINAL AUDITION ROUND: Applicants selected by a panel of BSO judges will be invited to Symphony Hall for the live final audition round on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

PRIZES: The Cornelius A. & Muriel P. Wood Award recipient will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and the opportunity to perform alongside the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at noon. 

The first and second runners-up will also receive cash prizes. 

Please complete and submit the application form below.

Address
Musical Experience

Please complete the following information about your instrument and instructor.

Must be no longer than 10 minutes

Are you a current student or alumni of any of the following music or arts programs?  

Please select all that apply.

Preliminary Audition Requirements

Please upload a list of repertoire and provide a link to a video recording of you performing a movement from a concerto. Upload a letter of intent with signatures from your parent/guardian and instructor. Unless you are requesting that the BSO Scholarship Fund cover your application fee, please mail a check for $30 payable to Boston Symphony Orchestra to the following address:

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Education Dept./Concerto Competition

301 Massachusetts Ave.

Boston, MA 02115

After submitting your application materials, you will be notified whether you have qualified for the Finals Round by Friday, January 10, 2025.

Please ensure that your name is included in the file name

Include a link to a video recording of you playing the movement of your concerto via Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, or Sound Cloud. The movement/piece should not exceed 10 minutes. Piano accompaniment is preferred, but not required. Please double check that your link is shareable before pasting below. PLEASE BE SURE TO TEST YOUR VIDEO RECORDINGS TO MAKE SURE THEY PLAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE AUDIO SHOULD BE OF THE HIGHEST AUDIO FIDELITY. ONLY the following video formats will be accepted by the performance application system: .mp4, .wmv, .mov, and .avi

Upload a PDF that contains a 2-3 sentence letter stating your intent to apply to this competition and confirming your address and school information. The letter must be signed by your parent/guardian and instructor.

Optional demographic data is for informational purposes only and will not be used in candidate selections.

Please provide an answer

Ethnicity (Optional)
Race (Optional)

Please provide an answer