Berkshire Symphony Student Soloist Competition
Competition Guidelines 2023
Date: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 (Snow date Tuesday, February 21, 2023)
Place: Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, Bernhard Music Center, Williams College
Award: Appearance as soloist with the Berkshire Symphony on Friday, April 21, 2023
Eligibility
* Williams College sophomore, junior, and senior music students who are EITHER…
a) taking music lessons at Williams in the instrumental or vocal area in which they are competing…AND/OR…
b) participating in a faculty-directed music department ensemble or chamber music program for the whole academic year
Contestants on fall study-abroad programs or leave can qualify
• if they take lessons or participate in a music department ensemble or chamber music programs spring semester
Past winners
• Past winners of the Berkshire Symphony Student Soloist Competition are not eligible to compete
• Exception: if a winner was unable to perform on the concert, they may compete again in a following year
Applying
1) Consult your teacher regarding an appropriate work. Suggested length is 15 minutes or less (concerto movement, a single-movement work, a concert or operatic aria, song cycle, etc., for soloist and orchestra)
2) Contact the Berkshire Symphony director and submit the title of the work
3) After approval from both your teacher and the director, please submit this online application
Expectations
• Each student perform the selection from memory for the competition and concert.
• The audition lasts a maximum of 10 minutes, even if the selection is longer.
• The Selection Committee may ask to hear different sections of the piece.
• Students provide their own accompanists, or, upon request, a professional accompanist can be provided for the competition and optional recitals.**
• Competitors may not also be accompanists.
• Opportunities to prepare include two optional recitals in Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall.
• Students are required to upload a PDF of their selection with the application.
• The competition is a public event. Concert dress and demeanor is expected.
Selection
• A Selection Committee of professional musicians from outside the Williams community chooses winners.
• Selection Committee comments can be made available to competitors upon request.
Deadlines
• Applicants must have clearance from both their teacher and the director BEFORE applying online. Start early!
• We suggest completing your application before Thanksgiving break. Applications close at the end of fall semester.
Submitting an Application
*Don’t forget to consult with your teacher or ensemble director before applying
*Be sure to get clearance for your piece from Mr. Feldman before applying
*Make sure you are signed into your williams.edu account
*The link for the 2023 competition will be made active by Wednesday, September 7, 2022.
“The Berkshire Symphony is comprised of Williams College students, distinguished Artist Associates, and area professionals. Throughout the year, students and teachers work hand in hand in an environment that honors hard work and fosters respect. The programs each year expose the students to a broad range of symphonic repertoire. With musical selections spanning four centuries, and under the guidance of our excellent faculty, students experience ensemble playing on a level rarely offered in comparable educational settings.”
— Ronald Feldman, director
Application Form (closed)
(When form is active, you must be signed into your Williams account to access)
Applications close at the end of fall semester.
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