Concerto Competition
The Annual Concerto Competition – now a state-wide event, affords outstanding instrumental and vocal musicians the opportunity to perform a movement of a concerto/aria in concert with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra. The competition is open to musicians playing instruments for which orchestral literature is available or vocalists (high school junior or older) singing arias that have orchestral accompaniment. No transcriptions are allowed. The competition will be judged by a panel of two non-local judges. One winner in each of three categories will be selected to perform with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra. The winner of each category will receive a monetary award.
The 2025 competition will take place at:
Charles W. Davis Concert Hall
1708 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, AK 99775
Competition dates are January 18th and 19th, 2025.
Competition Location/Dates
Charles W. Davis Concert Hall
1708 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, AK 99775
January 18, 2025 from 1:30 to end
January 19, 2025 from 1:00pm to end
Performance Date
Davis Concert Hall UAF, Fairbanks
Sunday, February 9, 4:00 pm
Mandatory Rehearsal Dates
Davis Concert Hall UAF, Fairbanks
Friday, February 7, 6:30 pm, and Saturday, February 8, 2:00 pm
Application Fee
$50 (non-refundable)
Application Deadline: 11:59pm Saturday, January 4th, 2025. Only online applications will be accepted.
Categories
A: up to 12 years
B: 13 – High School Senior
C: Collegiate (any degree seeking student, under grad or graduate at UAA or UAF currently studying with music department faculty at their respective school)
Competition Schedule
The competition will be on Saturday for Category A & Sunday for Categories B & C. Length of competition on either day will depend on the number of applicants. This schedule is subject to change depending on the number of participants in each category. The order of performance will be determined by random drawing on Tuesday, January 10th and will not change once published. Participants will be notified via email of their performance time.
Repertoire
Participants in the competition will perform, from memory, one movement of a concerto (aria for vocalists – high school junior or older). Orchestral parts must be available for rent or purchase. If your piece is not listed, please contact the FSO office at librarian@fairbankssymphony.org or call 907-474-5733 to check the availability of orchestral parts. Failure to do so may result in your disqualification. Click the link for a partial list of pre-approved competition pieces. For competition, we require a pdf or hardcopy file of the music being performed, to be given to the judges.
Accompanist
Participants are responsible for providing their own accompaniment for the competition. For non-local participants, a list of local accompanists is available below. It is the responsibility of the participant to contact and schedule an accompanist and rehearsal time. All fees associated with rehearsing with a local accompanist is the responsibility of the participant. You may also, at your own expense, bring your own accompanist.
Available Accompanists
Jim Spontak
email – spontak@gci.net
cell – 907-388-8625
Transportation/Housing
Non-local participants are responsible for their own housing and travel.