SYMPHONY SOLO COMPETITION

2026 Symphony Solo Competition

The MYS Symphony Solo Competition is a two-round competition where the winner earns the opportunity to perform their piece with the MYS Symphony Orchestra at the Winter Concert. The first round is a recorded video round and the second round is a live audition for a panel of judges (closed to the public).

Finalists not selected as the winner will be invited to perform in the Finalists Recital (open to the public).

Eligibility

  • The Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition is open to students who are members of MYS Symphony Orchestra.*

  • Participants must be enrolled for the second trimester of the 2026–27 season.

  • Participants must perform on the instrument they play in MYS Symphony Orchestra. 

  • Past solo competition winners are not eligible to participate.

Dates‍ ‍

Preliminary Round

  • Submission Deadline: Sunday, September 13, by 11:59 PM

  • Submission Method: Online video submission

  • Results: Preliminary competition results will be emailed to all participants by Thursday, September 17.

Final Round

  • Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026

  • Time: 6:00–8:00 PM

  • Location: Macalester College Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, 130 S Macalester St, Saint Paul

  • Results: Participants will be notified of the results via email after the judges have reached their decision.

Finalists Recital

  • Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026

  • Time: 7:00–8:30 PM

  • Location: Mairs Concert Hall, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, 130 S Macalester St, Saint Paul

Winter Concert Performance

  • Concert Date: Sunday, February 14, 2027

  • Time: 2:00 PM

  • Location: Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Requirements‍ ‍

Preliminary round

  • The preliminary round consists of a video submission and may be recorded using a mobile device, computer, or video camera. Recordings from previous performances are not permitted.

  • Perform the preliminary round without accompaniment.

  • Upload the performance to YouTube as an unlisted video titled "MYS Symphony Solo Competition." Submit the video link using the online form.

  • Upload a scanned or digital copy of the piano score using the online form.

  • Competition entry fee: $60 (financial assistance is available).

Final Round & Finalists Recital

  • Finalists must perform their piece from memory.

  • Piano accompaniment is required. All participants should make advance arrangements for an accompanist to be available on October 4 and October 25 if they are selected as a finalist. MYS offers financial assistance to finalists who need help covering accompanist fees.

  • The final round is closed to the public.

Repertoire Guidelines

  • The selected piece may be a movement of a concerto or another work for solo instrument(s) with orchestral accompaniment. Only one selection is permitted.

  • The preliminary and final round performances are limited to 12 minutes. Cuts may be made in the accompaniment, but the complete solo part must be played. The full movement or work may exceed 12 minutes (without cuts) and may be performed in its entirety at the Winter Concert, at the discretion of the conductor.

  • The orchestral accompaniment for the selected piece must be written for a standard symphony orchestra or smaller (no larger than triple winds, brass 4-3-3-1, timpani, 2 percussion, harp piano, strings). If you have questions about this, please contact us.

  • Before selecting a piece, verify that the orchestral music is available for purchase or rental. MYS cannot guarantee the availability of rental materials for performance.

  • MYS encourages participants and teachers to explore a broad range of repertoire, including works by composers from underrepresented groups, living composers, and music from outside the European tradition. Additional resources available here: 

Please contact MYS with any questions.

*Individual circumstances may allow for some musicians who are not in Symphony first trimester due to scheduling issues to participate in this competition. Please contact mys@mnyouthsymphonies.org, if you believe you may be one of these individuals.