OCSO Youth Concerto Competition
Encouraging Excellence in Musical Performance
We are excited to announce the return of our youth concerto competition!
The competition will be held the morning of Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Syracuse Artist Pianos, 5780 Deli Drive. The winner will perform with the orchestra in March 2026, so must be available for rehearsals and concert. If there are questions about this, please email (see below).
Competition Rules
- Students in 7th through 12th grades (in the 2025-26 school year) are eligible to enter, and must go to school in one of the Onondaga County school districts, or in one of the adjoining counties (Oneida, Oswego, Madison, Cortland, or Cayuga). Home schoolers from these districts, as well as students whose music teacher lives in Onondaga County, are welcome to apply.
- Memorization is not required, however, it could be a factor in the judges’ decision.
- The Repertoire List shows works that are permissible. Entrants wishing to enter with a work not on the list must contact Erik Kibelsbeck at the email below to be given permission to enter with an alternate work. The main considerations are whether the orchestra can obtain parts within budget and perform them at an acceptable level.
- The contestant must audition in person and provide their own accompanist. No tapes will be permitted.
- One copy of the scores must be provided for the judges’ use. These must be purchased editions; photocopies are illegal and will not be allowed.
- At the discretion of the judges, contestants may be interrupted or subjected to time restrictions during their competition round.
- The decision of the judges is final in all aspects.
- Contestants may indicate a time preference for the competition which will be honored if possible, but cannot be guaranteed.
- Parents, teachers and friends are encouraged to attend. The day’s events are open to the public.
Please read these regulations carefully and refer to them as you prepare for the competition. You will be notified as to your audition time.
Please direct all questions to our Musical Director, Erik Kibelsbeck (erik.kibelsbeck@gmail.com)
Repertoire
Download a PDF of the acceptable repertoire list.
Registration
Please register by emailing erik.kibelsbeck@gmail.com. Entries should be received by September 1. If there are insufficient entrants to hold the competition, it will be cancelled.