National Young Virtuosi Recital Competition

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Subject to change

This competition is offered every two years.  It is open to students who are capable of preparing a high-quality recital program. (Please see the repertoire guidelines and requirements).  There is no age minimum but a maximum age is 18 years of age at the time of the competition.  The competition is open to Brass, Woodwind, Strings, and Piano.  

The competition will have two categories: Junior:  up to 14 years and Senior: 15 – 18 years

 A maximum of six winners will be selected to perform in the Winners Concert.  The winners will perform two pieces that judges have chosen from the competition.  All winners will receive monetary awards. Following the concert, one grand winner will be chosen by the panel of judges and one audience award will be chosen by the audience. Winners must perform at the Winner’s Concert in order to receive awards or they will forfeit their status and an alternate winner will perform in their place.  The decision of Judges is final.  Previous winners of the Virtuosi Competition are not eligible to enter.

Concert Performance Restriction: Winners must perform only the pieces chosen by the judges. 

Students must send the online application form by the deadline date.  YouTube link can be sent at a later date but must arrive before 11:59PM EST of the deadline date. If we do not receive by this date, the entry will not be considered and the application fee will not be refunded. Scroll down for the recording guidelines or click above to see the word format.

Send the YouTube link via NLPA’s email address at nationalleagueofperformingarts@gmail.com.


REPERTOIRE GUIDELINES:

BRASS, WOODWIND

  • A well-balanced recital program of a MINIMUM 20 minutes

  • The program must include 3 compositions from at least two different musical periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, Contemporary)

  • No repeats unless it dampens the integrity of the piece

  • Variations must be performed in their entirety

  • One movement of concerto and/or sonata is acceptable. The cadenza of a concerto must be included.

  • Memorization preferred

  • Piano accompaniment is required except when it is not a part of the composition. Concertos must be performed with piano reduction of the orchestral parts. Please minimize piano accompaniment interludes.

  • Performers must provide their own accompanist for both audition and concert, if selected.

 

STRINGS

  • A Well-balanced recital program of a MINIMUM 20 minutes

  • The program must include 3 compositions from at least two different musical periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, Contemporary)

  • No repeats unless it dampens the integrity of the piece

  • Variations must be performed in their entirety

  • One movement of concerto and/or sonata is acceptable. The cadenza of a concerto must be included.

  • All compositions must be performed from memory except for duo sonatas. Memorization of music since 1939 is encouraged but optional.

  • Piano accompaniment is required except when it is not a part of the composition. Concertos must be performed with piano reduction of the orchestral parts. Please minimize piano accompaniment interludes.

  • Performers must provide their own accompanist for both audition and concert, if selected.

 

PIANO

  • A well-balanced recital program of a MINIMUM 20 minutes

  • The program must include 3 compositions from at least two different musical periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, Contemporary)

  • A movement of sonata is acceptable.

  • No repeats unless it dampens the integrity of the piece.

  • Variations must be performed in their entirety.

  • Published transcription of the other instruments or ensemble (such as Bach/Busoni’s Chaconne) will be acceptable as long as they are original by the composers.

  • No arrangements or simplified edition will be accepted.

  • Memorization is required for all repertoire

  • No concerto repertoire

 

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YOUTUBE RECORDING AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • The video must be one straight recording session. All the programs have to be performed in one sitting. We will not accept a series of individual piece links put together.

  • No editing, no stopping of recording between pieces. If any editing is done including combining the individual links put together, the students will only receive comments from judges and will not be eligible to receive any awards.

  • There can be a short pause between pieces but the recording must not be stopped.

  • The video must be a one-angle shot showing the performer’s ENTIRE body. In the case of pianists, the entire piano keyboard and foot pedals must also be shown. No multi-angle shots or other forms of amplification are allowed, and the camera must remain still throughout the entire recorded performance.

  • The recording must be within three (3) months of the YouTube submission deadline date.

  • Only send one YouTube link.

  • Take the video horizontally rather than vertically.

  • PROPER CONCERT ATTIRE IS REQUIRED.

  • Audition videos must be of good quality and shot with an efficient smartphone or digital video recorder (e.g., iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, etc.); a 1080i resolution would be most welcome.

  • To ensure quality and consistency of the videos among entrants, set up the camera from the audience’s perspective.

  • Limit background noise, and make sure the performance space is well lit.

  • No speaking in the video.

  • Do not include the student’s name anywhere in the link provided including the title of the link and the description part of the link.

  • The title of the link must be labelled with the initials and year of the event, followed by the applicant’s initials and age. (e.g., for a John Doe age 14, the title should be NYVRC2023JD14)

  • Partial recording or pieces without an accompanist, when it is required, will be disqualified.

  • We recommend the YouTube setting be Unlisted.

  • YouTube link must arrive before 11:59PM EST of the deadline date. If we do not receive by this date, the entry will not be considered and the application fee will not be refunded.

  • Send the YouTube link via NLPA’s email address at nationalleagueofperformingarts@gmail.com

  • Please provide student’s name in the subject line of the email.