Student Concerto Competition

Young musicians are invited to participate in the Groton Hill Student Concerto Competition for 2026-2027!

This is an incredible opportunity to gain valuable experience performing with one of the region’s top student ensembles on the stage of a world-class Concert Hall.

Register now

Application Deadline: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Competition Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2027 at 7:00pm (specific audition times
will be assigned)
Winner’s Performance Date: Saturday, May 23, 2027 at 3:00pm

OVERVIEW

Application Deadline: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Competition Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2027 at 7:00pm (specific audition times will be assigned)
Winner’s Performance Date: Saturday, May 23, 2027 at 3:00pm

Please review the Student Concerto Competition Guidelines and submit this application only after you have contacted ensembles@grotonhill.org and received approval for your concerto selection.  Students auditioning with a double concerto must submit separate applications for each student.

Once your concerto selection has been approved, please submit this application form to complete your competition registration.  Applicants must be in 12th grade or lower in the fall of 2026, and enrolled at Groton Hill Music for the 2026-2027 school year, either in private lessons or an ensemble.

For students who are arranging their own piano accompanist, there is a $60 entrance fee due when you submit this application.  Students who will be using a Groton Hill accompanist will be charged a fee of $195 for a solo concerto, or $125 each for a double concerto, which includes the $60 entrance fee as well as two hours of rehearsal time with the accompanist, and the competition performance.  Please contact ensembles@grotonhill.org for more information.

ELIGIBILITY

  • The competition is open to all strings, winds, brass, percussion and piano students enrolled at Groton Hill Music for the 2026-2027 school year, either in private lessons or an ensemble
  • Applicants must be in 12th grade or lower in the fall of 2026
  • Applicants must be studying with a private teacher
  • Previous Concerto Competition winners are not permitted to apply.
  • Groton Hill ensemble students who study with an outside private lesson instructor are eligible
  • Solo or double concerti are welcome

APPLICATION INFO

  • Interested applicants must choose one movement of a concerto (or similar) no longer than 10 minutes and email their repertoire selection to ensembles@grotonhill.org for approval prior to submitting the application form.

  • Once the selection is approved, complete the application form and submit no later than Saturday, December 5, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

  • The competition entrance fee is $60 for students using their own accompanist, or $195 for students using a Groton Hill accompanist ($125 each for students performing a double-concerto).

  • A teacher recommendation is required for each applicant.

  • The composition must utilize standard instrumentation and have orchestral score and parts in the public domain (IMSLP) or readily available from the publisher (rentals not allowed), to be verified by competition staff.

  • Applicants should choose a concerto that best represents their level of playing.

COMPETITION DETAILS

  • The competition date is: Wednesday, February 10, 2027 in the Concert Hall.
  • All applicants must audition in person.
  • Applicants are assigned individual performance times, and will be notified of the time as soon as possible after the Dec. 5 application deadline.
  • Audition times cannot be changed.
  • All applicants (including pianists) are required to audition with a live piano accompanist. Students are welcome to secure their own accompanist or request an accompanist through Groton Hill.
  • Each applicant is given a 10-minute time slot and may not exceed allotted time.
  • Selections may be shortened by abridging or deleting long accompaniment-only passages.
  • Applicants are highly encouraged to memorize their audition piece, although music may be used if needed.
  • Applicants must provide the original score of their concerto movement for the adjudicators.
  • Presentation is an integral part of the audition process and musicians should dress appropriately (suit and tie, skirt/blouse or dress with dress shoes).
  • The adjudication panel will consist of Groton Hill Youth Orchestra director Ken Culver, and two additional members of the Music School faculty.
  • The competition is open to the public.

CONCERTO WINNERS

The winner must be able to attend rehearsals with the orchestra (Saturdays 9:30am-12pm) on specific dates in April and May to be determined, the dress rehearsal on the day before the concert, and any additional rehearsals stipulated by the conductor.

2026 Winner – Olivia Ding, viola (Casadesus – Viola Concerto in the style of JC Bach)
2025 Winner – Julia Zhou, piano (Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, opus 21, III. Allegro vivace)

About Groton Hill Music Center

We offer a wide range of musical experiences, focused on mentorship, development, and creativity. Over 2,000 students enjoy private lessons, classes, rehearsals, and performances in our inspirational setting, with unique opportunities that bring education and performance together in ways that are uniquely possible at Groton Hill.

Our dynamic learning spaces encourage you to enjoy the process, with 35 state-of-the-art teaching studios, and 2 world-class performance halls, acoustically tuned for a warm, vibrant sound.

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