Competition Guidelines

Competition Form: Click here to register

SENIOR DIVISION

Eligibility Criteria: Open to current members of the TMYO Symphony Orchestra that are in 9th to 12th grade.

• All orchestral instruments are eligible to audition, excluding piano.
• Must not be a past division grand prize winner; past grand prize winners are not eligible to re-apply for the competition.
  • A past Junior Division winner may apply for the Senior Division if they are a part of the Symphony Orchestra and within the grade eligibility listed above.

Repertoire: Candidates are strongly encouraged to select concerti from the standard repertoire. Repertoire from the etude or exercise repertoire will not be accepted and will result in automatic disqualification. If there are any questions regarding repertoire, please reach out to staff@tmyo.org.

• Students may be asked to change their selection if scores are not available or require rental.

JUNIOR DIVISION

Eligibility Criteria: Open to any current members of TMYO (all orchestras) that are in 8th grade or below.

• All orchestral instruments are eligible to audition, excluding piano.
• Must not be a past grand prize division winner; past grand prize winners are not eligible to re-apply for the competition.

Repertoire:  Candidates are strongly encouraged to select concerti from the standard repertoire, including short virtuosic pieces and standard student concerti within method books. Repertoire from the etude or exercise repertoire will not be accepted and will result in automatic disqualification. If there are any questions regarding repertoire, please reach out to staff@tmyo.org.

• Students may be asked to change their selection if scores are not available or require rental.

Competition Schedule

Video Recording Round:  

Friday, October 24th, 2025 11:59pm:  This Online Application , $40 application fee,  and Video Recording submission due. 

You must provide a private or unlisted YouTube Video link at the time of submission.

• No accompaniment is necessary for the video recording round.
• Finalists are responsible for scheduling with a collaborative pianist for masterclass performances and the live, final round.
  • TMYO is happy to facilitate recommendations upon request. 

If you need help finding a collaborative pianist or if there are any submission issues, please email mpainter@tmyo.org

October 29, 2025 – Finalists are announced

November 15,  2025– Live Performance, Final Round, USF School of Music (Exact location will be sent prior to the final round).

• Finalists will perform their complete selection with live piano accompaniment. 
• The final round will be in front of a closed panel of external adjudicators- not open to the public.
• The concerto competition Jury will convene and deliberate on November 15 2025, immediately following all performances.
• Winners will participate in a public masterclass with special guest artists in the Spring Semester. Details to be sent out by January 5, 2025.

December 1, 2025– Concerto competition winners announced

May 16, 2026– Concerto Competition Winners Performance at the TMYO Spring Concert

CONCERTO COMPETITION APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN.

VIDEO SUBMISSIONS

All submissions this year must include a link to an unlisted or public YouTube video. You cannot submit this application without providing your video link.