Annual competitions for SDYS students with winners performing as soloists with our orchestras
SDYS offers two separate yearly concerto competitions to further its individual members’ opportunities at the highest level. One competition is for Showcase Program musicians and the other is for Ovation Program musicians. Winners perform their solos accompanied by a large ensemble.
This year, candidates for the Ovation competition must select a movement from a multi-movement concerto. Complete concertos will not be performed for the 2022-2023 season. Candidates for the Showcase competition must select a movement from the approved list of concertos below.
The competitions take place in two rounds. The preliminary round is for all candidates, however, a limited number of candidates will advance to a public performance final round.
Please be sure to review all competition details, application deadline, and full requirements prior to registering.
Showcase Concerto Competition
2022-2023 Showcase Concerto Competition Information
Submit application and $40 application fee.
Eligibility
Showcase Program students in Wind Symphony and Sinfonia in good standing with SDYS are eligible to apply for the Showcase Concerto Competition. Showcase students may enter competition on their SDYS primary instrument.
Repertoire
Please see the eligible repertoire lists for the Showcase Concerto Competition below. Repertoire must be memorized for the preliminary round, if selected, final round, and if chosen as winner, the public performance.
Application Process
After submitting an application, the repertoire will be examined. Once approved, students will be assigned an audition time and will be notified via email. Incomplete applications will not be processed or accepted.
Changes in Repertoire
Once an application is submitted, changes in repertoire by the student will not be allowed at the preliminaries, finals, or final concert (if selected as winner). The same movement of the same concerto is to be performed at each stage.
Collaborative Pianists ( Accompanists)
Collaborative pianists will not be provided and an accompanist is required for both the preliminary and finals Competition. SDYS is not responsible for accompanist fees. We encourage you to contact your private teachers for a list of current collaborative pianists in the San Diego area.
Memorization
Memorization is required for all contestants in the competition (including preliminary round and finals) and in the final performance if selected as the winner.
Music
Submit at least one original copy of your concerto and cadenza (if applicable) for the judges at the time of audition and competition.
Awards
One winner from Sinfonia OR Wind Symphony will be selected to perform with the ensemble on one of the 22-23 concert dates.
Ovation Concerto Competition
2022-2023 Ovation Concerto Competition Information
Submit application and $40 application fee.
Eligibility
Ovation Program students in good standing with SDYS are eligible to apply for the Ovation Concerto Competition. Ovation students may enter competition on either their primary instrument or piano, but not both.
Repertoire
One movement of a concerto is to be selected. Students may also compete with a work for soloist and orchestra, pending approval from SDYS artistic staff. Students must play the same movement from a concerto for the preliminary and for the final round. If selected, the winner performs for the selected movement for the orchestra performance. Repertoire must be memorized for the preliminary round, and if selected, for the final round.
Repertoire is open for the Ovation Concerto Competition but must be approved by SDYS upon receipt of application due to copyright and rental availability of music from the publishers.
Application Process
After submitting an application, the repertoire will be examined. Once approved, students will be assigned an audition time and will be notified via email. Incomplete applications will not be processed or accepted.
Changes in Repertoire
2021-2022 Concerto Competition Results
Ovation Concerto Competition
- First Place: Erica Wang– flute, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 39 – Lowell Liebermann
- Second Place: Justin Wu– cello, Cello Concerto No. 1 in Eb major, Op. 107 – Dmitri Shostakovich
- Third Place: Ellie Seohyun Lee – violin, Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 – Jean Sibelius
- Honorable Mention: Andrew Kang – clarinet, Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 74, J. 118 – Carl Maria von Weber
Finalists:
- Hannah Lee – violin, Concerto No. 1, Op. 26 – Max Bruch
- Debora Okhotina – cello, Cello Concerto No. 2, Op .14 – Karl Davydov
- Anna Chong – flute, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra in D Major, Op. 283 – Carl Reinecke
Showcase Concerto Competition
- First Place: Serena Liu – flute, Concertino, Op. 107 – Cecile Chaminade
- Second Place: You (Yoyo) Wu – marimba, Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041 – Johann Sebastian Bach
- Third Place: Anthony Kim – violin, Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Honorable Mention: Cynthia Huang – cello, Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 – Camille Saint-Saëns
Finalists:
- Caitlin Wang – violin, Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Yina Li – violin, Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Hob. VIIb:1 – Joseph Haydn
- Dylan Elis – violin, Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Cynthia Huang – cello, Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 – Camille Saint-Saëns
Past Winners
2020-2021 Concerto Competition Results
Ovation Concerto Competition
- First Place: Janice Hu – violin, Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 – Jean Sibelius
- Second Place: Erica Wang– flute, Concerto No. 1 in G Major, K. 313 – W.A. Mozart
- Third Place: Andy Yang – cello, Sinfonia Concertante in E minor, Op. 125 – Sergei Prokofiev
Finalists:
- Emma Li – flute, Flute Concerto No. 7 in E minor – François Devienne
- Lea Parseghian – violin, Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 19 – Sergei Prokofiev
- Nathan Haghgoo – piccolo, Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra, Op. 50 – Lowell Liebermann
Showcase Concerto Competition
- First Place: Anthony Kim – violin, Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major – W.A. Mozart
- Second Place: Julian Wu – cello, Concerto No.1 in C major – Joseph Haydn
- Third Place: Seajoon Hong – violin, Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major – J.S. Bach
Finalists:
- Taichi Okumura – saxophone, Concertante – Clare Glandman
- Claire Hwa – clarinet, Clarinet concerto in A Major, K. 622 – W.A. Mozart
Past Winners
2019-2020 Concerto Competition Results
Ovation Concerto Competition
- First Place: Susan Lee – violin, Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op.6
- Second Place: Yeonwoo Chu– piano, Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in G minor Op. 25
- Third Place: Helen Zhu – flute, Mercadante’s Flute Concerto in E minor
Finalists:
- Darren Jiang – cello, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme
- Saeji Hong – violin, Glazunov’s Concerto in A minor, Op. 82
- Erica Wang – flute, Ibert’s Concerto for Flute
Showcase Concerto Competition
- First Place: Lilian Franqui – violin, first movement of Haydn’s Concerto in G Major.
- Second Place: Ellie Seohyun Lee – violin, first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218
- Third Place: Jimyung Ellie We – violin, first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K. 219
- Honorable Mention: Hannah Lee – violin, first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K 219
Finalists:
- Taichi Okumura – saxophone, Grundman’s Concertante, Op. 42
- Petunia Rizo – flute, Bulla’s Rhapsody for Flute
- Annette Ramos – flute, Chaminade’s Flute Concertino, Op. 107
2018-2019 Concerto Competition Results
Ovation Concerto Competition
- First Place: Kevin Song, Cello, Norquist Soloist Award Winner – Haydn’s Concerto for Cello in D Major, Op. 101 Hob. VII b:2, Movement 1: Allegro Moderato
- Second Place: Pearl De La Motte, Viola – Bartók’s Concerto for Viola, Movement 1: Allegro Moderato
- Third Place: Sara Maxman, Violin – Conus’ Concerto in E minor, Op. 1, First and Second Movements
Finalists:
- Josiah De La Motte, Violin – Glazunov’s Concerto in A minor, Op. 82, Movement 1: Moderato
- Susan Lee, Violin – Tchaikovsky’s Concerto for Violin in D Major, Op. 35, Movement 1: Allegro Moderato
- Helen Zhu, Flute – Liebermann’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 39, Movement 3: Presto
- Elizabeth Guañuna, Violin – Sibelius’ Concerto for Violin in D minor, Op. 47, Movement 1: Allegro Moderato
Showcase Concerto Competition
- First Place: Minji Kim, Violin – Mozart’s Concerto No. 5 for Violin in A Major, K. 219, Movement 1: Allegro aperto
- Second Place: Ellie Seohyun Lee, Violin – Vivaldi’s Winter from “The Four Seasons”, Op. 8, No. 4, RV. 297, Movement 1: Allegro non molto
- Third Place: Emma Li, Flute – Mozart’s Concerto for Flute in D Major, K. 314, Movement 3: Rondo: Allegretto
- Honorable Mention: Nina Bonaventure, Trumpet – Hummel’s Concerto for Trumpet in E Flat Major, Movement 1, Allegro con spirito
Finalists:
- Nathan Haghoo, Flute – Vivaldi’s Concerto for Flute in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3, RV. 428, Movement 1: Allegro
- Caden Jiang, Violin – Mozart’s Concerto No. 5 for Violin in A Major, K. 219, Movement 1: Allegro aperto
- Natasha Taveres, Violin – Vivaldi’s Spring from “The Four Seasons”, Op. 8, No. 1, RV. 269, Movement 1: Allegro
- Elijah De La Motte – Cello – Haydn’s Concerto for Cello in C Major, Hob. VII:b1, Movement 1, Moderato
2017-2018 Concerto Competition Results
OVATION CONCERTO COMPETITION
We are delighted to announce the winners of the soloist award for the 2017-18 Ovation Program Concerto Competition are:
- First Place: Song (Amy) Lee, Violin, Norquist Soloist Award Winner – Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77, Movement IV: Burlesque: Allegro con brio – Presto
- Second Place: Michelle Liu, Flute – Ibert’s Flute Concerto, Movement I: Allegro
- Third Place: Susan Lee, Violin – Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op. 7, Movement III: Rondo a la clochette
SHOWCASE CONCERTO COMPETITION
- First Place: Stacy Widyono, Violin – Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216, Op. 35, Movement I: Allegro
- Second Place: Michael Wu, Cello – Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major, Hob. VIIb:1, Movement I: Moderato
- Third Place: Emma Li, Flute – Mozart’s Flute Concerto in D Major, K. 218, Movement I: Allegro aperto
- Honorable Mention: Natasha Tavares, Violin – Vivaldi’s Four Season, Op. 8, Movement I: Spring: Allegro
2016-2017 Concerto Competition Results
OVATION CONCERTO COMPETITION
We are delighted to announce the winners of the soloist award for the 2016-17 Ovation Program Concerto Competition are:
First Place:
Erica Yeawon Hwang, Violin – Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, Op. 14, Allegro
Christine Kim, Flute – Reinecke’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra in D Major, Op. 283, Allegro molto moderato
SHOWCASE CONCERTO COMPETITION
First Place: Sara Maxman, Violin – Vivaldi’s Concerto No. 3 in F major, Op. 8, RV 293, Movement 1: Allegro
2015-2016 Concerto Competition Results
OVATION CONCERTO COMPETITION
We are delighted to announce the winners of the soloist award for the 2015-16 Ovation Program Concerto Competition are:
Sofia Hashemi-Asasi, Violin
Paul Maxwell, Cello
Sofia performed Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35. Paul performed Saint-Saens’s Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33, First Movement. The two played their winning pieces with orchestras in the Ovation Concert in June 2016.
Second Place: Yeawon Erica Hwang, Violin
Third Place: Jay Shankar, Clarinet
SHOWCASE CONCERTO COMPETITION
First Place: Michelle Liu, Flute
Second Place: Amanda Martin, Violin
Third Place: Susan Lee, Violin
2014-2015 Concerto Competition Results
OVATION CONCERTO COMPETITION
We are delighted to announce the winners of the soloist award for the 2014-15 Ovation Program Concerto Competition are:
Sofia Hashemi-Asasi, Violin – Watch her performance here
Allan Huang, Violin – Watch his performance here Sofia perfermed Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 first movement and Allan performed Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major third movement.
They will play their winning pieces with orchestras on the Artist Series Concert in January and Ovation Concert in February 2015.
Second Place: Paul Maxwell, Cello
Third Place: Ashley Wang, Piccolo
SHOWCASE CONCERTO COMPETITION
First Place: Luke Kim, Cello Luke performed Haydn Cello Concerto in C Major, first movement The first place winner Luke Kim will perform his winning concerto at the Showcase Concert onFebruary 1, 2015.
Second Place: Susan Lee, Violin
Third Place: Chae Yoon (Gemma) Baek, Clarinet
2013-2014 Concerto Competitions Results
Symphony Orchestra / Philharmonia Concerto Competition:
- First Place: Andrea Fortier – Viola
- Second Place: Omar Gaidarov – Flute
- Third Place: Richard Xu – Violin
Finalists:
- Allan Huang – Violin
- Sara Kornfeld-Simpson – Oboe
- Clara Lee – Violin
- Flora Li – Violin
- Ashley Wang – Flute
Wind Orchestra Concerto Competition:
- First Place: Ashley Wang, Flute
- Second Place: Austin Su, Alto Saxophone
- Second Place: Jay Shankar, Clarinet
Sinfonia Concerto Competition:
- First Place: Christine Kim, Flute
- Second Place: Song Lee, Violin
- Third Place: Emily Naseul Jeong, Clarinet
Wind Symphony Concerto Competition:
- First Place: Chae Yoon Baek, Clarinet
- Second Place:, Elvin Schlanger, Flute
2012-2013 Concerto Competitions Results
Symphony Orchestra / Philharmonia Concerto Competition:
- First Place: Jasmine Wang – Violin
- Second Place: Jarvis Chang – Violin
- Third Place: Omar Gaidarov – Flute
- Third Place: David Mrdjenovich – Cello
Finalists:
- Joshua Lee – Marimba
- Flora Li – Violin
Sinfonia Concerto Competition:
- First Place: Ryan Park – Violin
- Second Place: Leonard Yoon – Clarinet
- Third place: Michelle Ju – Violin
Finalists:
- Marcos Espinosa – Marimba
- Song Lee – Violin
- Albert Lee – Cello
Honorable Mentions: Russell Chiang – Cello Vivian Shing – Violin David Zeng – Cello Wind Symphony/Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition:
- First Place: Sara Kornfeld Simpson – Flute
- Second Place: Yenny Zhang – Alto Saxophone
- Third Place: Kenneth Xu – Flute
Finalists:
- Emily Jeong – Clarinet
- Jay Shankar – Clarinet
