Midwest Young Artists celebrates the 15th year of its annual Walgreens National Concerto Competition, held at the MYA Center at Fort Sheridan on December 28 & 29, 2010. Prizes include an opportunity to perform with the MYA Symphony Orchestra and on the prestigious From the Top radio program. Walgreens Corporation’s annual sponsorship enables MYA to provide students with distinguished judges, a DVD recording of their performance, written performance evaluations, and an inviting and nurturing environment in which to participate.
The deadline for completing the application and entry fee is December 1, 2010.
Where Are They Now?
Want to know what past Walgreens Concerto Competition winners are up to? Click on their photos to find out!
Eligibility
There are two Divisions in the contest: MYA Orchestra Division (MYA Division) and Open Division. Students in the MYA Division must be an active participant in the MYA Orchestra Program. All other entrants will participate in the Open Division (including students in MYA Chamber Music, Choral and Jazz Programs).
There are two Levels in each Division:
- Junior: for students in 8th grade and younger
- Senior: for students in 9th through 12th grades
The competition is open to all instruments. Each Level is further divided into Categories:
- String
- Piano
- Voice
- Winds & Percussion
- Early Music (Please note: Students are automatically entered in the Early Music category - in addition to the relevant instrument category - if the piece they are performing was written before 1800. Strings, harpsichord, recorders, gamba winds and brass are encouraged to participate in this category.)
Repertoire
Students must perform a movement from a concerto or work with orchestral accompaniment. Selections must be performed from memory with piano accompaniment. Students will have 10 minutes to perform and will be timed. Appropriate accompaniment cuts are recommended. Please note: It is at the judges' discretion to ask for specific sections of a movement being performed. Please have movements prepared in their entirety.
For those entering the Early Music Category only, it is recommended that contestants choose one of the following pieces, to be performed from memory. We do not list suggested literature for all other categories.
Early Music Category Repertoire
Please note that exceptions to the above are possible, as long as the music is written prior to 1800. Harpsichord, recorders, gamba, winds, and bass are encouraged to participate in this category. If you have questions about repertoire, please contact the MYA office. Students are automatically entered into the Early Music Category if the piece they are performing was written before 1800.
Venue
Midwest Young Artists Center at Fort Sheridan
878 Lyster Road, Highwood, IL 60040
phone: (847) 926-9898
and Bennett-Gordon Hall at Ravinia
Highland Park, IL
Accompanist
Students must provide their own accompanist. Your accompanist’s name and contact information must be provided on your application. To search for a local accompanist, visit www.privatemusicteaching.org.
Application & Entry Fee
The competition entry fee is $50 for students not enrolled in any MYA programs and $30 for MYA members.
Please note: All applications must be submitted on-line; fees are non-refundable and must be paid on-line or by check, postmarked by December 1st.
Walgreens National Concerto Competition Application
Complete Entry Fee Payment
After submitting the application, you can pay your $30 MYA member entry fee or $50 non-member entry fee via PayPal.
Awards and Prizes
Open Division
One Overall winner will be selected from either the Junior or Senior Level
MYA Division
One Overall winner will be selected from the Senior Level
One Overall winner will be selected from the Junior Level
Overall Winners
- Overall winners will perform with orchestra on February 19, 2011 at the at Harris Theater in Chicago.
- The Overall winners will receive a Cash Award of $500 plus a MYA Tuition Scholarship (valued at $680-$710) to be used towards 2011-2012 academic year large ensemble tuition or 2011 Summer Music Festival programs.
- The Overall Senior MYA Division winner will have the opportunity to perform on the prestigious From the Top radio program. (Please note: this only applies to students who have not performed as a soloist on prior shows.)
Category Winners
- Category winners will receive a MYA Tuition Scholarship (valued at $340-$365) to be used toward 2011-2012 academic year large ensemble tuition or 2011 Summer Music Festival programs.
- The Senior Level Early Music winner, at the discretion of the director, will record with Ars Antigua and will be podcasted from their website.
- Category winners will be chosen, at the discretion of the director, to perform on March 6, 2011, on the Winners Recital at Preston Bradley Hall in the Chicago Cultural Center.
- Winning soloists may also be selected for performance opportunities with Midwest professional and community orchestras.
Hotel Reservations
Out-of-town participants are encouraged to stay at the Courtyard Marriott in Highland Park (1505 Lake Cook Rd.). The MYA rate is $84 per night. For reservations, please call (847) 831-3338.
