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 concert in May/June. Winners perform either a movement from a concerto or a one movement concert piece accompanied by the CYS Senior Orchestra.
2026-27 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, December 5, 2026
Location: Almond Elementary School, Los Altos
Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Auditions slots are 15 minutes each)
Accompanist: Not required, though highly recommended!
Dress Code: Dress for a concert or a recital - this is a performance!
Registration Deadline: November 16, 2026 - 11:59pm
Please note the following:
- Only graduating seniors who are current members of the CYS Senior Orchestra are eligible to apply and compete
- 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 26-27 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 | COMPOSER | PIECE | LAST PERFORMED |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | All works without orchestra accompaniment | ||
| All Baroque works | |||
| Violin | Kreisler | Praeludium and Allegro | 24-25 |
| Lalo | Symphonie espagnol, op. 21 (1st mvt) | 24-25 | |
| Prokofiev | Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 63 (1st mvt) | 24-25 | |
| Bruch | Violin Concerto in G Minor, op. 26 (3rd mvt) | 25-26 | |
| Vieuxtemps | Violin Concerto in A minor, op. 37 (1st & 3rd mvt) | 25-26 | |
| Korngold | Violin Concerto in D Major, op. 35 (all) | 25-26 | |
| Viola | Hindemith | Der Schwanendreher (1st mvt) | 25-26 |
| Cello | Dvorak | Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 (all) | 24-25 |
| Lalo | Cello Concerto in D Minor (1st mvt) | 25-26 | |
| Prokofiev | Sinfonia concertante, op. 125 (2nd mvt) | 25-26 | |
| Bloch | Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hébraïque (all) | 25-26 | |
| Elgar | Cello Concerto in E-minor, Op. 85 (all) | 26-27 | |
| Flute | Ibert | Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (1st & 3rd mvt) | 25-26 |
| Clarinet | Stamitz | Clarinet Concerto no. 3 in Bb Major (1st mvt) | 24-25 |
| Spohr | Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in C minor (1st mvt) | 26-27 | |
| Percussion | Golovko | Colombian Marimba Concerto (all) | 24-25 |
| Rosauro | Concerto No. 2 for Marimba and Orchestra (1st mvt) | 25-26 | |
| Piano | Rachmaninoff | Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 (1st mvt) | 24-25 |
| Grieg | Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 16 (all) | 26-27 |
