Young Stars Competition 2009-10

CLASSICAL • JAZZ • BROADWAY
$3,000 IN PRIZES
Open to instrumentalists ages 12-20, vocalists ages 16-23

2009-2010 SEASON AUDITION INFORMATION: The South Coast Symphony’s Young STARS of the Future is the premiere performance competition and concert in Orange County. The South Coast Symphony is a nonprofit organization dedicated to performing a wide variety of orchestral literature from the Classics to Broadway with eclectic programming designed to entice, enlighten, delight and educate while attracting a whole new generation of concertgoers.

The goal of the Young STARS of the Future Competition and Concert is to foster new, young talent residing or studying in Orange County, California. Winners of the Young STARS of the Future auditions are selected by a Jury of distinguished musicians. The criteria are exceptional talent, virtuosity, artistic individuality, projection as a performer, and promise. The musicians compete against a standard of excellence - not each other. There is a limit of three First Prize Winners, and the Jury has the right to select none if none qualify.

Auditions are open this year for ALL ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS and
PIANO • ORGAN • HARP • VOICE • CONDUCTOR

THE REWARDS: First Prize Winners will receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond, and a performance with the South Coast Symphony. The Young STARS of the Future Concert will take place on Friday Evening, February 5, 2010 at Lake Hills Church in Laguna Hills.

THE TWO ROUNDS:

ROUND ONE: Taped Auditions
With your application you need to submit a taped copy of your audition of the highest quality possible. Please include a list of works on the tape and in which order. Your submitted tape may be in any one of the following formats: Audio Cassette Tape, CD, DVD and VHS.

ROUND TWO: Live Audition
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Location: Capistrano Valley High School Choral Room in Mission Viejo.

Auditions are held in the daytime. Each applicant who is accepted for Round Two will be contacted via e-mail to set-up an audition time. Auditions last 15 minutes. Artists must be prepared to perform all of the repertoire submitted. The Jury will request to hear sections of the repertoire. You must provide your own accompanist.

RULES & PROCEDURES:
1. ELIGIBILITY: Instrumental Applicants must be between the ages of 12-20 years old on February 5, 2010. Vocal Applicants must be between the ages of 16-23 years old on February 5, 2010. All applicants must either reside in Orange County or take lessons in Orange County. Applicants must meet the repertoire list requirements, submit a completed application form, a letter of recommendation, audition tape, photograph, and the application fee of $25. The South Coast Symphony, using this criteria, reserves the right to accept or reject applications. Past winners of this competition are ineligible.

2. THE APPLICATION FORM: Download and fill out the application form below completely. Be sure to keep a copy of the repertoire you have submitted for your own reference.

3. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: Send one letter of recommendation from a professional musician or your private music instructor. You may include the letter with your application or have it mailed separately.

4. MEDIA: Audio Cassette Tape,CD, DVD, or VHS must be submitted as preliminary auditions by applicants. Be sure to write your name, address and tape repertoire on the tape label or box. Please listen to your tape before mailing it, to be sure it provides a good audition. Poor sound hampers the judgment of your performance. Tapes will be returned only if you add $2 to your application fee.

5. THE APPLICATION FEE: A nonrefundable $25 application fee, in a check or money order, made payable to the South Coast Symphony is required.

6. PHOTOGRAPH: Applicants must include a photograph (any size).

7. DEADLINE: The application form, $25 application fee, taped audition, photograph, and letter of recommendation must be postmarked by Friday, October 16, 2009.

8. NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS: All applicants will be notified via e-mail of the results by October 16, 2009. You may call for results after that date if you have not already heard from us. You may contact the Symphony at 714-731-8079.

REPERTOIRE for COMPETITION and PERFORMANCE

CLASSICAL: Instrumental applicants must be prepared to perform one complete movement from two different concertos, or two movements from the same concerto. For one of the selections you may substitute a showcase piece, as long as it is written for your instrument with orchestral accompaniment. Choice of repertoire is up to each applicant, however each selection chosen must be written for orchestra and your instrument. All selections must be memorized.

Vocal applicants must perform three vocal selections. One or more of the selections should be an Operatic Aria. One of the selections must be in English. Each selection chosen for the audition must be written for voice with orchestral accompaniment. All selections must be memorized.

The repertoire you list on the application will be the repertoire from which you will be asked to perform. Applicants are advised to carefully select repertoire to display the full range of their abilities.

JAZZ: Instrumental or Vocal applicants must be prepared to perform three complete selections of contrasting styles. Choice of repertoire is up to each artist.

BROADWAY: This category is open to VOCALISTS only. Vocalists must be prepared to perform three songs from Broadway Musicals of contrasting styles. Choice of repertoire is up to each artist.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM