The Concerto Competition at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival is one of the artistic high points of each summer. Very often, we receive questions about the competition. Listed below are some of these question so that you might better understand the event. If we missed your questions, please contact the office by clicking here.
Q: Who can participate in the Concerto Competition?
A: Any one currently enrolled in the SSMF and who is attending school during the academic year.
Q: Can I play anything I want?
A: No. Here’s a few guidelines: You can play any work with an available orchestral accompaniment.
Your selection should be a single movement of a multi-movement work such as a Mozart Violin Concerto or the Strauss Oboe Concerto. Or, you may also select a stand-alone work without movements the Ravel Tzigane for violin or Carnival of Venice for trumpet.
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.
Q: What do I do about getting the accompanist the music?
A: You should bring your accompaniments to the Festival with you. Make sure that your name is on the front cover. Drop it off in the SSMF office the first weekend of the Festival, then watch the bulletin board for news.
Q: When do we audition?
A: The prelims and finals will be held during weeks 1 and 2 of the Festival. The date will be determined once the schedule is assembled. The selected performers will be announced at a Sunday evening All Camp Meeting.
Q: Do I have to play the whole thing?
A: No. You’ll play only 3 minutes for the prelims and 5 minutes in the finals, from memory!
Q: What happens if I win?
A: First of all, you’ll perform on a concert the final Thursday of the Festival with the Festival Orchestra. A recording will be made (CD) and available to you upon request. During the concert, three judges will evaluate the performance and select the top three performers to receive scholarship prizes. These prizes will be presented after the concert. To learn more about the awards, click here.
