Al Navaroli Young Musicians Competition
South Valley Symphony announces the fourth annual Al Navaroli Competition for talented young musicians residing and/or training in south Santa Clara County and neighboring communities in San Benito and Monterey Counties. The 1st place winner of this competition will perform as the featured soloist with South Valley Symphony during its Spring Concert, Music for the Young at Heart, on Saturday, 10 March 2012, at the Gavilan College Theater in Gilroy.
The purpose of the competition is to encourage young musicians to develop their talent and skill, to motivate them with a chance to perform before a live audience with symphonic accompaniment, and to reward and honor them for their achievements and dedication. The performance opportunity is timely as young students prepare for future auditions for higher education at colleges, universities, or music academies.
Information about eligibility and how to apply is stated below. Alternatively, you may also download the Young Musicians Competition flyer (pdf) (Please note the flyer may take 2-3 minutes to download.)
Each application form must be accompanied by a tape or CD recording of the competitor's performance of their chosen musical piece, submitted for pre-screening purposes, and a non-refundable $25 application fee. (The Competition Committee will consider petitions of hardship for fee waiver). Following pre-screening, all contestants will be notified if they qualify for formal audition in person.
Application submission for pre-screening is Friday, 16 December, 2011 (postmark date)
Ages: The competition is open to musicians aged 10 through 18 as of December 31, 2011.
Eligibility: All applicants must reside in, or study with a music instructor who resides in either, southern Santa Clara County [Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy], San Benito County or Monterey County.
Members of South Valley Symphony who meet the age requirements may also apply irrespective of where they reside.
Instruments: All instruments are acceptable for competition EXCEPT Piano. (Students studying piano are referred to the Filice Piano Competition which is held by the Gavilan College Music Department.)
Audition and Music: Each applicant must perform one movement from a Concerto or Featured Piece, written for their instrument from within the standard repertoire: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Modern Eras. The piece should be orchestrated for either full orchestra, chamber orchestra or string / woodwind ensemble. The audition CD, however, and the live audition, should be performed with piano accompaniment. Each applicant is responsible for providing their own accompanist for the competition. (An excellent piano will be available at the live audition site.) The contestant shall also provide two copies of their music to the judges on the day of the formal audition. Each competitor will be allowed a maximum of 15 minutes for their live performance; hence, the audition CD for pre screening should also be limited to 15 minutes.
Notification for Audition approximately Monday, 2 January, 2010 and
Formal Audition for Finalists: Saturday, 21 January, 2012
Judging: Judging will be carried out by the South Valley Symphony's Music Director, Anthony Quartuccio, and a select group of orchestra members, each being professional, semi-professional, or highly accomplished musicians. The judging will be in an open room, with the judges in plain view. Criteria for judging, and commentary notes back to contestants, will focus on accuracy in pitch, meter, and tone quality; suitability of the selected piece for the contestant and the symphony; and general musicality and performance of the contestant. Both the January Audition Performance and the March Concert Performance must be played with the music memorized. Decision of the judges is final; the winner will be announced at the conclusion of the auditions.
Submit all application materials, with tape or CD to:
Dr. David E. Thompson
(david.e.thompson@NASA.gov)
P.O. Box 1191, Tres Pinos, CA 95075-1191
All the above information and the Application Form may be downloaded in the Young Musicians Competition flyer (pdf). For Application form only, please click here.