Please read all rules before applying to the GSO Concerto Competition. Once finished, fill out the application linked at the end.
Notice, Rules, and Application
Competition Details
Date: April 11, 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026
Place:
Application Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026
Place:
- Circle Music Center
5124 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38119
Eligibility
Age: 18 years of age and younger at the time of the audition (no minimum age)
Residence: Home address within Shelby, Fayette or Tipton counties in Tennessee
Instruments: Band/Orchestra Instrumentalists, Guitarists and Pianists.
Winners of previous GSO competitions or previous GSO Dr. Ronald F. Vernon Young Artists Concerto Competition solo performers are ineligible to compete unless they are competing on a different instrument. Past solo concerto winners may compete as part of a multiple instrument concerto entry and conversely, past multiple-instrument concerto winners may compete as a solo concerto entry.
Residence: Home address within Shelby, Fayette or Tipton counties in Tennessee
Instruments: Band/Orchestra Instrumentalists, Guitarists and Pianists.
Winners of previous GSO competitions or previous GSO Dr. Ronald F. Vernon Young Artists Concerto Competition solo performers are ineligible to compete unless they are competing on a different instrument. Past solo concerto winners may compete as part of a multiple instrument concerto entry and conversely, past multiple-instrument concerto winners may compete as a solo concerto entry.
Judges' Decision
The judges will choose three (3) or fewer winners, depending on the quality of the auditions.
The decision of the judges will be final and will not be subjected to question, review or appeal. The judges reserve the right to hear all or part of the prepared solos and the right not to choose any winners. This includes the decision to award, not to award, or to split prizes.
Winners will be notified by telephone, with an email, or letter of confirmation after the judges' decisions are made.
The decision of the judges will be final and will not be subjected to question, review or appeal. The judges reserve the right to hear all or part of the prepared solos and the right not to choose any winners. This includes the decision to award, not to award, or to split prizes.
Winners will be notified by telephone, with an email, or letter of confirmation after the judges' decisions are made.
Performance
Date: October or November 2026 (concert date/time TBD)
Location: TBD
Contestants must be prepared to perform from memory. The winner(s) of the competition agree to perform the winning compositions with the Germantown Symphony Orchestra in the 2026-2027 season Dr. Ronald F. Vernon Young Artists Concerto Concert. The winner(s) agree to attend all rehearsals and participate in all promotional events and concert advertising as requested by the GSO Board of Directors. The winner(s) agree to allow Germantown Symphony Orchestra to use photos, audio or video recordings of their audition or Dr. Ronald F. Vernon Young Artists Concerto Concert performance for the orchestra’s promotion as consented in a release form prior to such promotions.
Location: TBD
Contestants must be prepared to perform from memory. The winner(s) of the competition agree to perform the winning compositions with the Germantown Symphony Orchestra in the 2026-2027 season Dr. Ronald F. Vernon Young Artists Concerto Concert. The winner(s) agree to attend all rehearsals and participate in all promotional events and concert advertising as requested by the GSO Board of Directors. The winner(s) agree to allow Germantown Symphony Orchestra to use photos, audio or video recordings of their audition or Dr. Ronald F. Vernon Young Artists Concerto Concert performance for the orchestra’s promotion as consented in a release form prior to such promotions.
Application Requirements
Deadline for Application
Postmarked by Midnight, Friday, March 27, 2026.
How to Apply
If application is requested by phone or e-mail, Concerto Competition Committee Chair will contact applicant to determine method of distribution of application form.
Submission of Audition Applications (if online form not used):
Concerto Competition Committee Chair
P.O. Box 38038
Germantown, Tennessee 38183
Incomplete applications may not be considered. Please answer all questions. GSO reserves the right to reject any entry and its decision is final. GSO also reserves the right to limit the number of applicants or additional audition times in event of a large number of competitors, or to cancel the contest with fewer than 5 applicants.
Postmarked by Midnight, Friday, March 27, 2026.
- One Application Form (online or alternate manual method)
- One Letter of Recommendation from current teacher &/or music professional familiar with applicant’s performance level (attach to electronic form, or email separately to [email protected])
- One Resume (optional)
How to Apply
- Complete online application: https://www.germantownsymphony.org/concerto-competition.html
- Request application by phon or email:
- E-mail: send email to [email protected]
OR - Call Germantown Symphony Orchestra at: 901-794-9730
- E-mail: send email to [email protected]
If application is requested by phone or e-mail, Concerto Competition Committee Chair will contact applicant to determine method of distribution of application form.
Submission of Audition Applications (if online form not used):
- email with attached MS-Word 5.0 (or later) or Adobe Acrobat attachment
OR - mail to:
Concerto Competition Committee Chair
P.O. Box 38038
Germantown, Tennessee 38183
Incomplete applications may not be considered. Please answer all questions. GSO reserves the right to reject any entry and its decision is final. GSO also reserves the right to limit the number of applicants or additional audition times in event of a large number of competitors, or to cancel the contest with fewer than 5 applicants.
Competition Audition
Submission of a completed application does not guarantee a request for an audition submission. The GSO Competition Committee Chair and judges will review all applications and reserve the right to limit competition applicants. The decision to eliminate applicants will not be subject to question, review or appeal.
Selection of Music
- One movement from a major work (or substantial "Concert Piece" or combination of movements within the performance selection time limit) for soloist (or duo, trio, etc.) and orchestra. Works transcribed for instruments other than the original instrumentation are only allowed if availability of published orchestral scores is confirmed in advance of the competition.
- The repertoire chosen will have NO influence on the judging.
- Contestant must provide one clean score for the judges (a photocopy is not acceptable); for instrumentalists a soloist/piano accompaniment score and for pianists, a soloist/orchestral reduction piano score.
- All solos must be accompanied by piano. Each contestant must provide his or her own accompanist.
- Piano contestants must be prepared to perform from memory. For all other contestants memorization is at the discretion of the performer.
- Winners must perform the same work for both competition and performance with orchestra.
Time Limit
The performance selection time limit is a minimum of ten minutes and a maximum of twenty minutes.
Scholarship Award
Payment cannot be made directly to winners. Winners shall advise the Competition Committee Chair the name of the institution or individual instructor that will receive payment. Payment must be made no later than June 30, 2026.
Other Rules
Failure to adhere to the competition rules will result in disqualification.
Printable Downloads
| gso_cc25_rules.pdf |
| gso_cc25_application.pdf |
| gso_cc25_release.pdf |