Eligibility

Open to advanced middle school and high school students who reside in the State of Maryland. High School graduates are not eligible. This year's competition is for players of woodwinds & brass instruments.

Entry Requirements

All entrants must submit a completed Entry Form and a non-refundable $50 Entry Fee payable to Frederick Symphony Orchestra by December 5, 2009 (postmarked).

Awards

Five finalists are selected from the January 9 competition. At the conclusion of the Winner’s Circle Recital on January 23, the following awards will be announced:

Grand Prize (1) - $1,000 and Solo Performance with the Frederick Symphony Orchestra at it's March 6, 2010 concert

Runner-Up (1) - $500

Finalists (3) - $100

Required Repertoire

Entrants will be given up to twenty minutes to perform two contrasting movements of their chosen concerto for the competition, and are responsible for providing their own sheet music. A published copy of the music for the concerto (in addition to the accompanist's copy) must be presented to the judges at the competition. Music that has been photocopied will not be accepted and will result in automatic disqualification for the students involved. Memorization is optional.

Entrants must play a concerto or major work for soloist and orchestra . Entrants are required to perform two contrasting movements from the work. All repertoire is accepted subject to availability and mechanical demands of orchestra accompaniment parts. Some accompaniments are only available through foreign publishers and rental fees may be rather expensive. The Frederick Symphony Orchestra shall not incur any cost above $400 to obtain concert accompaniment music.

Should the winning entrant choose a concerto with accompaniment parts that exceed the $400 limit, he or she shall be responsible for the excess cost of acquiring the orchestral accompaniment.

Teachers must check the availability of orchestral parts for all repertoire, and this should be noted on the entry form.

Prices & availability of orchestra music is available from many sources.

Here are two such sources:
Educational Music Service, 914-469-5790
Menchey Music Service, 888-636-2439.

The Frederick Symphony Orchestra will not engage the services of official accompanists. Each entrant is responsible for selecting his her own accompanist and communicating all dates, times, and locations to their accompanists.

Judging

The competition will be judged by a panel of three professional musicians selected by The Frederick Symphony Orchestra. The judges will complete written comment forms for each entrant, but not for the Winners Circle Recital. Judge's comments will be mailed to each entrant's home address. The decision of the judges is final and not subject to any protest or disagreement.

Competition Checklist

• Read the complete Instructions for Entrants, including this checklist very carefully.
• Research availability of orchestral accompaniment parts.
• Acquire approval and signature on Entry form from Private Teacher
• Complete all parts of the Entry Form (two pages)
• Engage the services of a piano accompanist for the January 9, 2010 Competition, and schedule rehearsals with him/her
• Proofread and sign the Entry Form (Entrant's Signature)
• Mail the completed Entry Form along with a check for the
  non-refundable $50 Entry Fee (made payable to the
  Frederick Symphony Orchestra) by the December 5,
  2009 postmark date
• Contact your accompanist when you receive your
  competition time

All events take place in Frederick Community College's J.B. Kussmaul Theater

Questions? Contact:
Barbara Pearl
Young Artist Competition Administrator
P.O.BOX 1439
Frederick, MD 21702-0439
301-663-8476