Several concerto competitions are held annually in various categories. Winners appear as soloists with one of the orchestras in a public concert in John C. Borden Auditorium. Only those students who have been enrolled in the Precollege Division for at least one year prior to the competition and are in good academic standing are eligible to compete. Teachers receive supplementary material regarding concerto competition rules and procedures.

Concerto Competition Categories and Applications

Click on the categories below to download printable applications:

• Piano ages 16 and over
• Piano ages 12 to15
• Strings ages 16 and over
• Strings ages 12 to 15
• Woodwind, brass and percussion, ages 12 and over
• All instruments ages 11 and under

Students ages 16 and over are required to play the entire concerto. Students ages 15 and under are required to perform one movement. Each winner performs with one of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division orchestras.

Competition Rules and Repertoire

1. Concerto competitions are open to students who are enrolled at Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division. Students may enter the concerto competition on their primary instrument only. Orchestra majors are not eligible. Students must also be in good standing in their classes. Poor attendance, lack of punctuality, and poor grades will result in ineligibility.
2. Students must have attended Manhattan School of Music for a period of at least one year to be eligible for concerto competitions.
3. An official concerto competition entry form must be submitted and signed by the primary teacher by the deadline for each competition. Rules and regulations for each competition are listed separately and are available online and in the precollege office.
4. Music for all instruments must be memorized. The only exception will be for groups of three or more performers.
5. A list of concertos is available online and in the precollege office. You should check with the director of the precollege division if you have any questions regarding a specific concerto, or would like to submit a concerto which is not on the approved list.
6. The Precollege Division reserves the right to place winning students with the orchestra it feels is appropriate. Although we try to schedule students for performances in the academic year in which they win, some students may be assigned to perform in the following year. Students must perform the movement with which they won the competition.
7. Any student who has won a Manhattan School of Music Concerto Competition may not compete again in that age category, and must wait for two full years to enter in another category.
8. Some concerto scores are not owned by the college library and therefore must be
   rented, sometimes at high cost. If rental is necessary, the parents will be billed
   for the rental amount. Teachers should make parents aware of this before a
   concerto is chosen.

The following information is available to download and print:

• Approved Repertoire for Instrumentalists
• Approved Piano Concertos