2022 Concerto Competition

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra announces its first young artists competition, open to performers of any nationality who were born on or after May 22nd, 1990. The LCO is looking for young talent to perform concerti written with chamber orchestra accompaniment. While contestants are welcome to perform any concertante work for their instrument during the audition process, the winning candidate will choose, in conjunction with the LCO’s music director, a work that suits the available orchestral forces for the performance.

The competition is open to any vocalist, and anyone performing on the following instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, harp, guitar, or piano.

The first round will be done remotely. Please submit:

An unedited video-recording of the candidate performing a concertante work with an accompanist, showcasing the best of their abilities, submitted as a link to a YouTube or Vimeo link only.

A recent bio of the contestant

Proof of payment of US$50 application fee

Second round

Six finalists will be invited to the second round, to be held in person, on Sunday, May 22, in Lowell, MA. Finalists will be notified by email and their names will be posted here.

Finalists are required to perform a concertante work with an accompanist, preferably different than the video submission. Finalists performing unaccompanied will be disqualified. Contestants are responsible for engaging their own accompanist (LCO will provide a list of some local accompanists upon request).

Finalists must provide a copy of the score for the judges, previous to their arrival for the competition.

Finalists are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses.

Deadline for submission of materials is:

Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 11:59 pm UTC/GMT -5 hours