Concerto/Composition Contest Guidelines and Application

KJSO Concerto and Composition Competition Guidelines

1. Participants must be members in good standing with the KJSO, and have completed at least one full season in the ensemble.

2. Participants involved in other musical activities that they do not exercise in the KJSO (e.g. singing, playing other instruments, composing) may compete in those fields; in such cases, a single member may enter the competition twice in two different fields if they wish.

a. Composers should submit three copies of their full score and a high-quality midi (or live musician if available) rendering of their work, which will be played in real-time in the hall for the judges.

3. Works should use an orchestration that employs at least a substantial portion of the orchestra, but does not exceed that of the KJSO roster this season.

4. If your piece is multi-movement, only one movement may be entered.

a. If the selected movement exceeds 10 minutes, it is recommended to make cuts to ensure that your entry is approximately 10 minutes in length. The edited version should represent the work in the most complete form possible, as opposed to simply stopping at the 10-minute mark. If you win the contest, your piece will be performed in this shortened version with the orchestra.

b. In the case of unusually short movements (e.g. less than 5 minutes), entering two movements is permitted, so long as the total of both movements does not exceed approximately 10 minutes.

5. Participants must bring three copies of their music to the competition for use by judges. These will not be returned.  (If desired, free self-serve copies can be made at the KJSO office by appointment; contact info@kjso.org to make arrangements.)

6. Each participant will be assigned an audition time.  Please plan to arrive at the auditions at least 15 minutes early in order to warm up.

7. Performers will need to provide their own accompanist. Please make sure you inquire about your accompanist’s availability before confirming your audition appointment.

8. The Concerto and Composition Competition is an open audition; parents, friends, and audience members are welcome to attend.

9. The judges will choose one first prize winner to perform with (or whose composition will be performed by) the KJSO in spring of this same season, as well as recognize a second and third prize winner.  All prize winners will receive a monetary award, generously funded by Barry and Betty Egen, in honor of Leo Egen: first prize receives $500 along with the performance opportunity; second, $300; and third, $200. 

10. A past first prize winner of the KJSO Concerto and Composition Competition may not re-apply until the second year following their win.  (Any other prize winners may compete again the year immediately following.)

Where: 

Kalamazoo College Fine Arts Buidling
1140 Academy Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006

When: 

Sunday, Nov 9, 2025
Time: 11:30–2:30 PM

Registration Ends: 

Sun, Nov 2, 2025

Scheduling: 

You will be assigned a time after registration ends

Registration Form: https://forms.gle/66SHpF37hzhqRKZG6