PIMF Annual Concerto Competition
The annual Concerto Competition is one of the most intense of the performance opportunities at the Philadelphia International Music Festival. Musicians participating in the Concerto Competition must be ready to perform as soloists with orchestra if selected.
Participation Requirements
- The Concerto Competition is open to all instrumentalists attending the Festival.
- Participants choosing to enroll in the competition must complete the Solo Events form online (links are provided after registration).
- Competitors must complete from memory one movement from a concerto (or other solo piece with published orchestral accompaniment).
- There is no minimum time requirement; however, a maximum time limit of 6-10 minutes may be imposed during the preliminary round, dependent upon scheduling.
- Competitors must select and perform music with available orchestral accompaniment. (Competitors are not required to provide orchestral scores or parts for competition purposes.)
- Competitors must provide name of composer, name of piece, name and number of movement, publisher, and length of movement on Concerto Competition registration form.
Accompaniment
- Piano accompaniment sheet music must be provided by the student and submitted electronically to PIMF staff by May 15 or entry in the competition cannot be guaranteed. Further instructions will be provided on Solo Events registration form.
- All competitors will be accompanied by the Competition pianist. Competitors will not be permitted to perform with any other accompanist.
- Preliminary round is conducted in a closed-door “rehearsal” format and no additional rehearsals will be scheduled prior to preliminary round.
General Information & Guidelines
- The Concerto Competition is separated into four age categories (subject to adjustment):
- 10 & Under
- 11-14
- 15-18
- 19 & Over
- The Concerto Competition takes place during the second week of both June and July sessions. Preliminary round will typically take place on the second Monday of the two-week session. Dates and times are subject to change, however.
- Preliminary round schedule will be posted at several prominent locations throughout festival grounds.
- Competitors are responsible for attending scheduled preliminary round.
- Missed or partial preliminary round performances may not be able to be replaced.
- The preliminary rounds are not open to the public. Scheduled rehearsal with Competition pianist will constitute preliminary round.
- Finalists will be selected by Competition pianist and adjudicators.
- If time is limited, judges may choose not to hear a piece in its entirety.
- PIMF Concerto Competition Finals will be performed before a live audience.
- Finals performances may be audio or video taped.
- The Grand Prize winners of previous years’ festivals may enter the Concerto Competition, but will not qualify for a Grand Prize.
- The decision of the judges is final.
- The panel of judges will consist of Philadelphia Orchestra members and/or representatives of other regional orchestras.
- One winner from each age division will be chosen.
- One Grand Prize winner will be chosen.
- The Grand Prize winner will perform as soloist with the New York Session Symphony or other professional or community orchestra.
