VCU Symphony Concerto and Aria Competition

The VCU Symphony Concerto and Aria Competition is open to VCU students in the following areas:

  • Woodwinds
  • Brass
  • Percussion
  • Voice
  • Keyboard
  • Guitar
  • Strings
  • Harp

Competition  

The competition features two rounds – a preliminary and a final round. The preliminary round will be held from 4:30-6:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall. The final round will start at 6:15 p.m. One winner (or more, in case of a tie) will be determined by a panel of judges with the final results announced to the public shortly after the last finalist’s performance. The deadline for submitting your application form is Friday, November 17, 2023, at 4 p.m. Complete the application here.  Please contact Prof. Myssyk if you have any questions at dmyssyk@vcu.edu.

The Rounds

Preliminary Round (4:30 p.m. in the concert hall) A two or 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 (6:15 p.m. same location.) 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 name of the winner(s) of the competition.

Concert: The winner(s) will perform their concerto/piece/aria (or one movement from a concerto, depending on the length) with the VCU Symphony at its 8 p.m. February 28, 2023, concert in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall.

Please note that the jury reserves the right to withhold any prize should the required standard not be met.

REGULATIONS

Eligibility: Any part or full-time student enrolled in a private lesson for the fall 2023 semester is eligible to compete. Previous solo winners of the competition may not apply.

Requirements:

  • Solos MUST be MEMORIZED
  • The participants should provide their own accompanist
  • Scores (2 copies) should be made available to the jury on the day of the event