2025 Competition Dates and Deadlines:

• December 15, 2024: Applications due by 12 midnight

• February 1, 2025: MP3 audio recording due

• February 22, 2025: Final round at Bethany Lutheran College, Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center, 700 Luther Drive, Mankato, MN 56001

On the day of the competition, students should arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in. There are many warm-up rooms available.

 

Congratulations to our 2024 WINNERS!

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Concerto Competition First Place:

Vladimir Tsiper, violin

Concerto Competition Second Place:

Andre Peck, piano

Honorable Mentions:

Christian Garner, trumpet

Noah Scharback, cello

William Feng, piano

Ensemble Honorable Mentions:

Leila Pratt (oboe) & Abigail Harpestad (clarinet) 

 

Summary: 

The Mankato Symphony Orchestra is hosting its third concerto competition, with applications due by 12 midnight on December 15, 2024, and a mail-in preliminary round on February 1, 2025. The final round is Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center at Bethany Lutheran College, 700 Luther Drive, Mankato, MN. The competition has two categories: a solo competition and an ensemble competition. There will be cash prizes totaling up to $5000 plus an opportunity to perform with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra.

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Ensemble Competition Eligibility:

High School students (grades 9-12) from Blue Earth, Nicollet, Brown, LeSueur, Waseca,  Faribault, Martin, and Watonwan counties. Students completing high school early are eligible if they are not currently enrolled in higher education at the time of the contest. Repertoire TBD by the high school mentor in discussion with  the competition chair. First-prize winners are not  eligible to enter the year following their win. Please note that the high school teacher/mentor who works with winning ensembles will receive an incentivizing cash stipend.  

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Solo Concerto Competition Eligibility:

High School students (grades 9-12) must live or study in the state of Minnesota. Students completing high school early are eligible if they are not currently enrolled in higher education at the time of the contest. First-prize winners are not  eligible to enter the year following their win.

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Solo Concerto Competition Requirements:

1. Applications are due by 12 midnight on December 15, 2024. There is a $40 non refundable application fee per individual. Financial aid is available on request.

2. Preliminary round, due February 1, 2025: Send in an MP3 recording of the intended Concerto movement, 6-12 minutes in length with accompanist - AUDIO only. Perform the same concerto movement intended for the final round. N.B.: In the final round, the movement needs to fill 10 minutes.

3. Final round on February 22, 2025: For the final round, bring along an extra score for the judge. Photocopies are not allowed. Be sure to number the measures if not included in score.

4. Soloists must bring their own accompanist.

5. Memorization is expected.

6. The first movement of the concerto is preferred. Make the necessary cuts to fill 10 minutes in the final round. 

7. Winners must be available to rehearse and perform with the MSO. Winners and their families may be invited to attend a pre or post-concert reception. ​

 

​​​Competition Repertoire List (PDF download)

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Prizes:

• $1,500 cash award to solo concerto competition winner

• $750 cash award to the second place concerto participant

• Four $500 cash awards to each first-place quartet member 

• Four $250 cash awards to each second-place quartet member.

• All ensemble coaches receive a stipend as they prepare groups for the contest.

• The solo concerto winner will perform with the MSO in the fall of 2025. The ensemble will perform pre-concert at a concert in the spring of 2025.

Ensemble Competition rules:

1. Ensemble sizes can range from two to four players.

2. Ensemble repertoire does not have to be memorized and must last no longer than 10 minutes. 

3. Repertoire to be decided by the high school teacher/mentor and communicated to competition chair.

4. Participants must perform on orchestral instruments since the prize includes performing alongside the MSO musicians. 

5. Bring an extra score for the judge. Photocopies are not allowed. Number the measures, if not already included in the score.

6. Winners must be available to rehearse and perform with the MSO. Winners and their families  are invited to attend a post-concert reception. 

7. The judges reserve the right to not choose a winning soloist or ensemble.

8. Applications must be postmarked no later than December 15, 2024. There is a $40 non refundable application fee per individual. Financial aid is available on request.

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Please mail a check for the $40 application fee by December 15, 2024 to:

Mankato Symphony Orchestra

Attn: Competition

PO Box 645

Mankato MN 56002

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OR Pay Online Above ($1.30 processing fee included):

 

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Questions?

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact competition chair Megan Wehrwein at competitions@mankatosymphony.org.

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