Any student attending the Sewanee Summer Music Festival is invited to enter the concerto competition, held in the first week of the Festival. Competition winners perform with the Festival Orchestra during the final week of the Festival and are eligible for the Jacqueline Avent Music Scholarship awards for the following summer.
Listed below are some of the questions you may have about the event. If we missed your questions, please contact the office by clicking here.
Q: Who can participate in the Concerto Competition?
A: Anyone currently enrolled in the SSMF.
Q: Is there a repertoire list, or can I play anything?
A: There is no set repertoire list, but selections must have an available orchestral accompaniment. Works may be a single movement of a multi-movement work (such as a Mozart Violin Concerto movement) or a stand-alone work (without movements, such as Carnival of Venice for trumpet) of no more than 15 minutes duration.
Q: Can I use my music?
A: No. All performers in the Concerto Competition must play from memory.
Q: What do I do about an accompanist?
A: The Festival will supply an accompanist. You will have a short rehearsal before the first round. You must provide the piano accompaniment music for the competition.
Q: When do we audition?
A: Preliminary and final auditions will be held during the first week of the Festival, so come prepared to audition.
Q: What happens if I win?
A: You will perform with the Festival Orchestra during the final week of the Music Festival. During the concert judges will evaluate the performance and select performers to receive scholarship prizes. The prizes will be presented at the concert.
