String Orchestra Concerto Competition

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

The winner

• performs as soloist, accompanied by members of their ensemble in their final spring performance of the season, unless otherwise notified.

Application and deadlines

• Please use the online application form at the bottom of this page and submit your information no later than SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8.
• You will receive an emailed confirmation of your online application. Print out this email, and obtain signatures of the applicant, a parent, and the applicant’s private teacher.
• The signed email printout containing parent and private teacher signatures must be received in the MYSO office no later than MONDAY, DECEMBER 16.
  • scan and submit it here OR
  • mail to:  325 West Walnut Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212
• Private teachers may email Mr. Duffy in support of your application if you are not able to obtain a signature from your private teacher at this time.
• You will be notified of your audition time by January 1. Please call 414-267-2946 if you do not receive your audition time by that date.

Eligibility

• This competition is open only to musicians in MYSO’s String Orchestra; previous winners of the String Orchestra Concerto Competition are ineligible.
• Musicians may audition only on his/her instrument played in String Orchestra.
• Musicians must be in good standing and up-to-date with all membership fees in order to compete.
• Musicians who fail to show up for the competition without a phone call notification to the MYSO office at least 24 hours in advance of January 11 may be considered ineligible to compete in 2026.

Music

• Memorization is preferred but not required.
• Piano accompaniment is required. Families must make their own arrangements. Call our office if you need assistance.
• Musicians are expected to prepare the entire movement.
• Musicians are expected to procure their own music. The MYSO office will not provide copies, apart from the Hungarian Dance linked below.
• Required repertoire:

Violin

Brahms, Hungarian Dance No. 5 (NOT the version from “Fun with Solos”): Solo Part and Accompaniment Part
OR
Fiocco, Allegro  in Suzuki Violin Book 6 (either edition is fine). A-section only, using the last measure (double stops) as the ending.

Viola

Seitz, Concerto No. 5 in G major, mvt. I (Suzuki Viola Book 4)
OR
Dvořák, Humoresque (Suzuki Viola Book 3)

Cello

La Cinquantaine (Suzuki Book 3) Accompaniment parts can be found here.
OR
Dvorak, Humoresque (Suzuki Cello Book 3)

Bass

Earl, Mummers (Danse Grotesque)

Scheduling

• MYSO is not able to guarantee audition times. Please note times that you can’t make.
• Consider your accompanist’s schedule.
• All MYSO concerto competitions will occur simultaneously on January 11.

Questions? Use this form.