At a Glance

• Open to instrumentalists up to age 21

• Limited to 15 participants

• $30 non-refundable registration fee

• Grand Prize includes a $500 award

• Grand Prize winner performs with the Hampton Roads Philharmonic

• Participants must provide their own accompanist

• Selections are expected to be performed from memory

For Teachers and Parents

The Young Artist Competition is designed to encourage serious musical preparation while giving students a rewarding performance experience. Teachers and parents play an important role in helping students choose appropriate repertoire, prepare with confidence, and understand the expectations of performing with the orchestra. We hope this competition serves as both a valuable musical goal and an exciting opportunity for growth.

Competition Details

The competition is open to instrumentalists up to age 21 and is limited to 15 participants.

Applicants will be assigned an audition period after registration closes. Every effort will be made to accommodate preferred times, but participants should remain available for the full competition window.

Students must provide their own accompanist.

Selections must be performed from memory for placement consideration.

Participants must provide at least one published or legally printed edition of the music they are performing for the judges; participants are requested to provide (3) copies—one for each judge. This music is to be submitted to the judges immediately before competing and will be returned to you after you have competed. It is the participant’s responsibility to follow copyright permission from the publisher.

If the competition reaches capacity, performance time may be limited to 10 minutes.

After each performance, participants and guests should leave the hall quickly and quietly to allow the judges to deliberate and the competition schedule to continue.

Repertoire Guidance

For the competition, participants are expected to prepare a movement of a concerto or an appropriate concert piece. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with additional movements, but stage time will be limited to 10 minutes. Judges may stop you to ask for specific movements or selections during your time. 

To create a successful musical collaboration between the orchestra and soloist, it is strongly recommended that your piece fall within the following instrumentation & guidelines. Ideally, a winner will be chosen with repertoire that is also a good musical fit for the orchestra.

The instrumentation of your piece may include up to:

• 2 Flutes (1 Doubling Piccolo)

• 2 Oboes (1 Doubling English Horn)

• 2 Clarinets

• 2 Bassoons

• 4 Horns

• 2 Trumpets

• 3 Trombones

• 1 Tuba

• Timpani

• Snare Drum

• Bass Drum

• Cymbals

• Triangle

• Tambourine

• 1 Harp

• String Orchestra

Your piece should require no rental fees and have a score, parts, and materials that are in print and readily available.

As you choose your piece, keep in mind the programming and musical considerations the orchestra would need to accommodate in order to perform it, such as length, overall difficulty, unusual instrumentation, or other demands.

Recent successful collaborations have been well-known and accessible concerti from the standard repertoire, such as:

• Mozart Piano Concerto in C, K. 415

• Haydn Cello Concerto in C Major Hob VIIb/1

• Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major K.218

• Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor Op. 64

• Sibelius Violin Concerto, Op 47

• Weinawski Violin Concerto No. 2, Op 22

• Elgar Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85

• Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25

Awards

The judges will name a Grand Prize winner, who will receive a $500 award and the opportunity to perform with the Hampton Roads Philharmonic on the Young Artist Competition Showcase concert.

At the judges’ discretion, additional awards may include:

• Second Place

• Third Place

• Honorable Mention

• Encouragement Award for an outstanding younger soloist

The judges may also recommend multiple winners or determine that no performance meets the requirements for collaboration with the orchestra.

Grand Prize winners may not receive that placement in consecutive years.

Winner Performance Commitment

The Grand Prize winner must be available for orchestra rehearsals and the Young Artist Competition Showcase concert.

Current performance dates and required rehearsals for the next competition cycle will be posted once the 2026 competition details are finalized.

The Music Director of the Hampton Roads Philharmonic will make the final programming decision for the Young Artist Competition Showcase concert in March.

If the Grand Prize winner becomes unavailable, runner-up or other recognized performers may be invited to appear.

How to Apply

Applications for the next Young Artist Competition will open soon.

Once available, students will complete an online application and submit the $30 non-refundable registration fee. Full application details, important dates, and audition information will be posted here as soon as they are available.

Applications are not considered complete until payment is received.