Concerto Competition

Mentoring Houston's youth through orchestral excellence

Virtuosi Concerto Competition

Details will be forthcoming for the 2026-2027 Competition and we will update this page as information becomes available. Contact us if you have questions. 

    Competition Rules & Eligibility
    1. The Concerto Competition will take place in 2027 at the Virtuosi of HoustonStudio in the Memorial City Mall.
    2. The Concerto Competition is open to all fully enrolled instrumentalists of Virtuosi of Houston who have no more than two excused absences in the season’s first rehearsal cycle, have no unexcused absences, and owe no tuition or other debt to Virtuosi of Houston.
    3. All contestants shall be assigned to compete in one of two categories:
      1. Strings/Harp
      2. Winds/Percussion/Keyboard
    4. The order of competing contestants shall be determined by a drawing, and all contestants will be notified one week before the Competition.
    5. Previous Concerto Competition First Prize winners are not eligible to compete for one full year after.
    6. Winners of the Concerto Competition, except for graduating Seniors, must enroll in Virtuosi of Houston for the following two years, or until they complete their high school education, to claim their full prize money. Returning Virtuosi concerto competition winners will receive 20% of their prize the year they win.  The remaining 80% will be evenly divided at the end of each of the next two following years upon successful participation with the Virtuosi of Houston, or until they graduate from high school, whichever comes first. All years are based on the Virtuosi of Houston fiscal year which extends from July 1st to June 30th.
    7. The music selection for the concerto competition must be able to be performed by the current Virtuosi of Houston chamber orchestra, and approved by the Maestros.
    Application Fee & Submission

    Application forms require an application fee (TBD)

    Mail forms and fee to:
    Virtuosi of Houston
    303 Memorial City, Suite #235
    Houston, TX 77024

    Repertoire
    • Each contestant shall present a movement of a concerto or a concert piece of contestant’s choice.
    • The chosen composition shall be for a solo instrument and orchestra, or multiple instruments and
    • All contestants shall perform their selections from memory.
    • All contestants shall provide their own accompanists. Teachers/instructors may not accompany their own students.
    • All contestants shall supply 5 copies of the scores for the judges.
    • All compositions shall be chosen from repertoire where the instrumentation of the orchestra accompaniment reflects the instrumentation of Virtuosi of Houston: 
      • 2 flutes (interchangeable with piccolo)
      • 2 oboes (interchangeable with English horns)
      • 2 clarinets
      • 2 bassoons
      • 2 French horns
      • 2 trumpets
      • 2 percussion instruments
      • harp
      • keyboard instrument (harpsichord, piano, and organ)
      • strings
    • Orchestra parts should be readily available through regular commercial channels, or otherwise provided by the contestant.
    • All selected compositions are subject to the approval of the Virtuosi of Houston maestros, and their decision is final.
    • Proper attire is required.

      Judges
      1. The judges shall be selected from among prominent instrumentalists, conductors, and educators; representing string, woodwind, brass and percussion areas.
      2. The judges shall not be affiliated with Virtuosi of Houston.
      3. The judges reserve the right not to award any single prize, or any prizes at all.
      4. The decision of the judges is final.

          Prizes
          • To be determined
          • To pay teachers for private music instruction
          • To pay music companies or individuals for the purchase of instruments or instrumental accessories
          • To pay for participation in summer music camps or festivals
          • To pay for further education at university music schools and/or music conservatories.

            Get in Touch

            As more information becomes available, we will reach out and contact you for details regarding the competition. Send us a general inquiry and we will let you know.

            Contact Us