Perform on Stage with Us
Every year in early January, the University of Michigan Pops Orchestra is pleased to organize its annual Solo Concerto Competition for high school students in the Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. The concerto competition is an amazing opportunity for local students to perform a concerto of their choice with the Pops Orchestra at our spring concert in the beautiful Michigan Theater!
Prerequisites:
You must audition on woodwind, brass, string, or percussion. Piano concertos are not accepted.
Performances must be no longer than 10 minutes. If your piece exceeds 10 minutes, prepare an appropriate cut.
All selections must have an orchestra accompaniment that is currently available. If you are unsure if a selection is appropriately scored for orchestra, please contact us directly. Virtuosic and lyrical music selection is recommended.
You must provide your own accompanist for the audition if you are selected for the second round.
Selection will be based on evaluations by the current Executive and Music Directors of Pops.
HOW TO APPLY:
The 2024 Concerto Competition has closed. Please keep an eye open for next year’s competition in December!
Sample information can be found here!
Past Winners
Winter 2024 – Minji Kim
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 Mvmt. 1 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Winter 2023 – Selah Dowell
Symphonie Espagnole in D Minor, Op.21 Mvmt. 1 by Édouard Lalo
Winter 2022 – Peter Fazekas
Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26 Mvmt. 1 by Max Bruch
Winter 2019 — Eugenia Cho
Violin Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 64 Mvmt. 1 by Felix Mendelssohn
Winter 2018 – Katie Sesi
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 Mvmt. 3 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Winter 2017 – Elena Chambers
Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26 Mvmt. 1 by Max Bruch
Winter 2016 – Forrest Flesher
Totentanz Paraphrase on Dies irae, S.126 by Franz Liszt
Winter 2015 – Chihiro Kakishima
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 Mvmt. 1 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Winter 2014 – Allen Chang
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E♭ Major, Op. 74 Mvmt. 1 by Carl Maria von Weber