Graduating Senior Concerto Competition
The CYS Senior Orchestra holds an annual Concerto Competition in November or December, offering its current graduating seniors an exciting opportunity to showcase their talent on our season finale concerts in May/June. Winners perform either a movement from a concerto or a one movement concert piece accompanied by the CYS Senior Orchestra.
2025-26 Concerto Competition Information
See below for a list of acceptable/non-acceptable concerti. Upon completing the registration form, your piece will be further reviewed for approval.
Competition Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Where: Almond Elementary School, Los Altos
Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Auditions slots are 10 minutes each)
Accompanist: Not required, though highly recommended!
Dress Code: Dress for a concert or a recital - this is a performance!
Registration Deadline: November 3, 2025 - 5:00pm
Please note the following:
- Only one movement from a concerto or a one movement piece (not exceeding 15 minutes in length) is eligible
- Must audition on the instrument currently playing in the orchestra
- Music must be memorized for the concert. It doesn't need to be memorized for the audition.
- Two individual practice rooms are available, with additional outside warm-up areas. Please come prepared, keep warm, and arrive at least 15 minutes early.
- ** The Associate Orchestra competition runs at the same time and date. As some pianists accompany both AO & SO concerto applicants, we try our best to accommodate you and your accompanist's availability. We ask for your flexibility in the event we are unable to accommodate your scheduling request.
Acceptable Concerti for the 25-26 Competition
| INSTRUMENT | CONCERTO |
|---|---|
| VIOLIN | Any standard classic, romantic, or contemporary concerto*. Double concerti are OK. |
| VIOLA, CELLO, WOODWIND, BRASS, HARP, PERCUSSION | Any standard classic, romantic, or contemporary concerto.* Double or triple concerti are OK. |
*Non-acceptable Concerti
| INSTRUMENT | CONCERTO | LAST PERFORMED | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Mendelssohn | Violin Concerto in E minor, 1st Movement | 23-24 |
| Tchaikovsky | Violin Concerto in D major, 1st movement | 23-24 | |
| Sibelius | Violin Concerto in D minor, op. 47 | 23-24 | |
| Sarasate | Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs), Op. 20 | 23-24 | |
| Prokofiev | Violin Concerto no. 2 in G minor, movement 1 | 24-25 | |
| Lalo | Symphonie Espagnole in Dm, Op.21, 1st Movement | 24-25 | |
| Kreisler | Praeludium and Allegro | 24-25 | |
| Korngold | Violin Concerto | 25-26 | |
| Cello | Dvorak | Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 | 24-25 |
| Bloch | Schelomo, Rhapsodie hébraïque | 25-26 | |
| Elgar | Cello Concerto in E minor, 4th movement | 24-25 | |
| Clarinet | Stamitz | Clarinet Concerto no. 3, 1st movement | 24-25 |
| Flute | Ibert | Flute Concerto | 25-26 |
| Griffes | Poem | 23-24 | |
| Demersseman | Italian Concerto. Op. 82 | 23-24 | |
| Piccolo | Vivaldi | “Allegro” from Piccolo Concerto in A minor, RV 445. | 23-24 |
| Percussion | Golovko | Colombian Marimba Concerto | 24-25 |
| Lin | “One World” from Marimba Concerto No. 1 | 23-24 | |
| Piano | Rachmaninoff | Piano Concerto no. 2, 1st movement | 24-25 |
| Ravel | Piano Concerto in G | 23-24 |
