Performance Handbook

Revised Fall 2011

L. Concerto Competition

1. This annual competition is open to all Skidmore students who are current members of the orchestra in good standing or who are enrolled in applied music lessons. Normally it is held in December. The exact date and time will be announced in the fall semester.
2. Contestants should fill out a Concerto Competition Entry Form (available from the container outside of Zankel 111). Submit the forms, complete with appropriate signatures, to the appropriate artist-in-residence by the deadline noted on the form.
3. All contestants are required to audition with an accompanist, and the contestant must provide a published piano reduction of the score for the accompanist. Accompanists will not play from orchestral or chamber music scores, nor manuscripts.
4. All scores must be approved by Anthony Holland, orchestra conductor. The conductor will indicate his approval by a signature on the entry form.       

• Only works that have a commercially published score (for purchase or rental) which show full instrumentation are eligible for the competition.

• Contestants must provide a full score or orchestrated miniature score showing all orchestral parts for Mr. Holland. Piano reductions are not acceptable.

• Contestants must provide the conductor with a commercial recording of the work.

5. Check the competition entry form for deadline dates.
6. Duration of the work should be between three and 15 minutes (i.e. normally a single-movement concerto, one movement of a concerto, or a group of songs or one to two arias).
7. Winners of the most recent past competition must wait one year to compete again.
8. Three judges unaffiliated with Skidmore will be selected to adjudicate the competition.
9. Contestants should provide the judges with three copies of the work to be performed. These copies may be in either "piano" or "orchestral reduction" format.
10. The judges reserve the right to declare no one eligible for performance. One winner and one runner-up will be announced. In the event the winner is not able to perform, and if time permits adequate rehearsal, the runner-up will be invited to perform.