Annual competition for SDYS students with winner performing as soloist with orchestra
SDYS offers one yearly concerto competition. The winner performs their solo accompanied by full orchestra. Candidates for the competition must select a movement from a multi-movement concerto. Complete concertos will not be performed for the 2023-2024 season. Your concerto movement may be no longer than 15 minutes.
The competitions take place in two rounds. The preliminary round is for all candidates, and 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.
2023-2024 Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition Information
Preliminary Round: Saturday, October 28, 2023 Approx. 1-6pm Please note, preliminary rounds are NOT open to the public.
Final Round: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 6pm Free event – public welcome!
Location: Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Application Fee: $50.00, payable on the MySDYS Portal
Application Deadline: Monday, October 2, 2023 @ 5pm
Submit application and $50 application fee.
Eligibility
Symphony Orchestra students in good standing with SDYS are eligible to apply for the SDYS Concerto Competition. Symphony Orchestra students should enter competition on their primary SDYS instrument.
Repertoire
One movement of a concerto is to be selected. Students must play the same movement from a concerto for the preliminary and for the final round. If selected, the winner performs 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 Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition but must be approved by SDYS upon receipt of application for copyright, music availability, and instrumentation requirements
Application Process
After submitting an application, the repertoire will be reviewed. 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 will not be allowed. The same movement of the selected concerto is to be performed at the preliminary and final round.
Accompanists
Piano accompaniment 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 pianists in the San Diego area.
Memorization
Memorization is required for all competitors in the competition (including preliminaries and finals) and in the final performance if selected as winner.
Music
Submit four original copies of your concerto and cadenza (if applicable) for the judges at the time of audition and competition.
Performances
One winner from this competition will perform as soloist with the SDYS Symphony Orchestra. Winner may be selected to perform at a private SDYS donor event or at another SDYS community event during the season.
Past Winners
2022-2023 Concerto Competition Results
Ovation Concerto Competition
- First Place: Brianna Baek– violin, Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 6 – Niccolò Paganini
- Second Place: Ellie Seohyun Lee– violin, Concerto in A minor, Op. 82 – Alexander Glazunov
- Third Place: Debora Okhotina – cello, Concerto No. 1 in Eb Major, Op. 107- Dmitri Shostakovich
Finalists:
- Dasha Zerboni – violin, Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 – Jean Sibelius
- Dominic Guevara– violin, Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Showcase Concerto Competition
- First Place: Yoyo Wu – marimba, Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20 – Pablo de Sarasate
- Second Place: Caitlin Wang – violin, Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042 – Johann Sebastian Bach
- Third Place: Dylan Elis – violin, Concerto No.5 in A Major, K. 219 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Finalists:
- Bo-En Huang – violin, Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Juhan Tony Lee – trumpet, Concerto in E-flat major – Joseph Haydn
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
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
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
