Concerto Competitions
2023-2024 Concerto Competition Guidelines
The University Symphony Orchestra’s annual Concerto Competition returns for the 2023-24 academic year to showcase exceptional solo performances from within the School of Music. The competition is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate music majors with the approval of their applied teacher. The winner will perform their work in its entirety in a performance with the University Symphony Orchestra and Mark Russell Smith on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
Also returning this academic year is the University of Minnesota Bands Concerto Competition, highlighting the wide-ranging repertoire for soloist and wind ensemble. Competition is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate music majors with the approval of their applied teacher. The winner(s) will be invited to perform with the University Wind Ensemble on February 28, 2024 and/or Symphonic Band spring 2024.
USO Concerto Competition Past Winners
2023-2024
Shostakovich - Piano Concerto No. 2
2022-2023
Yilin Bao, piano
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor
2021-2022
Jeduthun Kim, voice
Mahler: Rückert Lieder
2020-2021
Competition not held due to COVID-19
2019-2020
Seongkyeong Kim, piano
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
2018-2019
Michael Min, piano
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
2017-2018
Fanya Lin, piano
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
Wayne Ching, piano
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 "Emperor"
2016-2017
Hannah Hickman, saxophone
Boutry: Divertimento for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra
Katrina Clements, clarinet
Copland: Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra
2015-2016
Gabriel Quenneville-Bélair, piano
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
2014-2015
Pei-Lei Lin, piano
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16
Christine Killian, soprano
Dvorak: “Song to the Moon” from Rusalka
2013-2014
Rosalind Leavell, cello
Elgar: Concerto for Violoncello
2012-2013
Jing Chang, piano
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major
2011-2012
Jessica Jasper, viola
Britten: Lachrymae
Laura Hynes, soprano
Bernstein: “Glitter and Be Gay” from Candide
2010-2011
Preston Duncan, saxophone
Ibert: Concertino da Camera
2009-2010
Eric Neseth, marimba
Creston: Concertino for Marimba and Orchestra
John Hammarback, oboe
Mozart: Oboe Concerto
2008-2009
Natalia Moiseeva, violin; Nick Donatelle, violoncello; Ivan Koven, piano
Beethoven: Concerto for Piano, Violin, Violoncello, and Orchestra
2007-2008
Denis Evstuhin, piano
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2, op. 19
2006-2007
Soojung Hong, piano
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 1
Bands Concerto Competition Past Winners
2023-24
Alexandra Brouillard, flute
Puckett: The Shadow of Sirius
Christina Uhrenbacher, saxophone
Heiden: Diversion
2022-2023
Competition not held
2021-2022
Cameron Vinson, saxophone
Maarten De Splenter: Concerto Comenia for Alto Saxophone and Symphonic Wind Band
Michael Valois, cornet
Jean-Baptiste Arban: Fantaisie Brilliante for Cornet and Symphonic Wind Band
2020-2021
Competition not held due to COVID-19
2019-2020
Russell Sweet, saxophone
Maslanka: Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble
2018-2019
Ariel Detwiler, bassoon
Ewazen: Concerto for Bassoon and Wind Ensemble
Sofia Mycyk, piano
McPhee: Concerto for Piano and Wind Octet
2017-2018
Judy Gaunt, trumpet
Stephenson: The Storyteller
Emily Green, horn
Hermann: Concerto for Horn