Concerto Competition

General Information

The Senior Solo Competition is an opportunity for select, outstanding senior instrumentalists to perform a concerto or other solo work with the District 99 Symphonic Orchestra.  The competition for this program is very high, and it is important for seniors to understand – before going through the audition process – that it is likely NOT possible to showcase every senior who is musically qualified.

One to two eligible students from North and South High School may be selected to perform with the Symphonic Orchestra on the March or May concert program.

The following criteria must be met before considering application for a senior concert:

1. Has been an active member of the District 99 Orchestra for four years (except in the case of a transfer student)

2. Is currently studying with a private teacher

3. Student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must have maintained an ‘A’ average in all instrumental music classes.

4. The student must have participated in the ILMEA district audition process (classical) in the fall of their senior year

The application and audition process is as follows:

1. Complete the application and submit to Ms. Zall by the due date in October

2. Prepare a solo work that is appropriate for your skill level and the skill level of the orchestra.  Please submit a formal request for a literature review, in writing, to Ms. Zall before the application deadline.  In your request, you must include the composer’s name, piece title and movement.

   1. In order to perform with the Symphonic Orchestra, the piece must be played entirely from memory.  At the time of the audition, you should know the piece in its entirety and already have much of the piece committed to memory.

   2. Before selecting a piece, please research the availability and cost of the parts and score. Purchasing and/or renting the music for this performance can be very expensive (upwards of $600). Costs exceeding $100 must be covered by the soloist. Public domain works are available to perform for free.

3. Auditions will be held on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break at North beginning at 3:30 p.m.

   1. You will be able to sign-up for a specific time with Ms. Zall

4. You are required to perform your solo audition with an accompanist

   1. If you need a list of accompanists, please visit the orchestra webpage.  Be sure to arrange for an accompanist at least one or two months ahead of time, as you need time for rehearsal.

5. Bring threeo photocopies of your solo, with measures numbered, for the judges

CLICK HERE to complete a Senior Solo Application

Selection Process

The audition process for a senior solo spot is by competitive audition.  Your audition must demonstrate your best playing.  Auditionees must have their entire piece/movement learned and be capable of performing the piece at their very highest level by the time the audition occurs.  The piece does not need to be memorized at this point, but must be memorized for the concert. 

PROCESS

1. Students perform their piece (with an accompanist) for judges who use a performance rubric to evaluate all auditionees.

2. After hearing all competing students, the judges then remove all students who were unprepared, or are otherwise not musically ready to perform a solo work with the orchestra.  These students are disqualified from consideration.  Because of this, there is the possibility of no students qualifying.  Some examples that would lead to disqualification include:

   1. The entire piece/movement is not learned

   2. Musicianship is not to the level of a soloist, some examples include:

      1. Playing out of tune

      2. Missing notes/rhythms

      3. Erratic pulse; slowing down in difficult passages

      4. Not performing well with the accompanist

      5. No thought given to phrasing

      6. Dynamics are not performed

3. The qualifying rubrics are then separated by school – North and South.

4. The judges then rank all of the qualified auditionees based on the results of the auditions (1-?).

5. Up to the top four qualified students may be selected - but no more - to perform a solo with the orchestra.

   1. This does not guarantee that four students will be selected; however that is the maximum number of students who will be selected

6. In the event of a tie, the orchestra director will review the rankings and the rubrics of qualified candidates as well as their application and essays.  Students who have made a greater contribution to the District 99 Orchestra program and whose application essays provide compelling reasons for the performance of a solo will receive preference.