Overview
The Santa Fe Symphony is proud to host its 4th annual Concerto Competition, offering young musicians in New Mexico the opportunity to showcase their talent and earn performance and scholarship awards. The video submitted with this application represents the preliminary round of the competition.
IMPORTANT DATES
Application Deadline (Preliminary Round) for All Divisions: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. MDT
Final Round: Saturday, May 23, 2026 in St. John's United Methodist Church in Santa Fe
ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS
Junior Division - Vocal
- Age Requirement: Open to vocalists enrolled in 9th-12th grade at the time of the application.
- Repertoire: One age-appropriate aria with piano accompaniment that is no longer than 7 minutes. Memorization is required for the final round but not required for the preliminary round.
- Accompaniment for Audition: Applicants are required to perform with piano accompaniment for both the preliminary and final rounds. If you need assistance in finding a pianist, please reach out to our team.
Junior Division - Instrumental
- Age Requirement: Open to orchestral instrumentalists enrolled in 6th-12th grade at the time of the application. Younger students may be allowed to apply based on repertoire selection but need prior approval - please reach out to our team.
- Repertoire: One movement of a Classical or Romantic concerto with orchestral accompaniment, no longer than 10 minutes. Transcriptions for alternate instruments are allowed as long as orchestral accompaniment is available to match. Memorization is required for the final round but not required for the preliminary round.
- Accompaniment for Audition: Applicants are strongly encouraged to perform with piano accompaniment for the preliminary round. Applicants are required to perform with piano accompaniment for the final round. If you need assistance in finding a pianist, please reach out to our team.
Senior Division - Instrumental
- Age Requirement: Open to orchestral instrumentalists actively pursuing a postsecondary degree and who are 25 years old or younger at the time of the application.
- Repertoire: One movement of a Classical or Romantic concerto with orchestral accompaniment, no longer than 10 minutes. Transcriptions for alternate instruments are allowed as long as orchestral accompaniment is available to match. Memorization is required for the final round but not required for the preliminary round.
- Accompaniment for Audition: Applicants are strongly encouraged to perform with piano accompaniment for the preliminary round. Applicants are required to perform with piano accompaniment for the final round. If you need assistance in finding a pianist, please reach out to our team.
Limitations
- This event is open to vocalists and traditional orchestral instrumentalists only. Pianists are not eligible to participate at this time.
- Joint applicants performing duo repertoire are eligible to apply. Each applicant must fill out a separate application and note their duo partner on their application.
- Students in the Junior Division may apply for both the instrumental and vocal competition, but they will only be allowed to compete in the final round in one category.
- Applicants cannot compete in a category where they have already been a Santa Fe Symphony Concerto Competition winner.
- Performance and recording opportunities are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed in cases of force majeure.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Applicants or their primary parent/guardian must reside in New Mexico. Proof of residency may be requested.
AWARDS
Junior Division - Vocal
First Place: $750, an invitation to perform on a Santa Fe Symphony Chorus concert, and a video recording of the performance.
Second Place: $500
Third Place: $250
Junior Division - Instrumental
First Place: $750, an invitation to perform on a Santa Fe Symphony Discovery or Family Concert, and a video recording of the performance.
Second Place: $500
Third Place: $250
Senior Division - Instrumental
First Place: $1,500, an invitation to perform on a Santa Fe Symphony Discovery or Family Concert, and a video recording of the performance.
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $500
APPLICATION FEE & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Application fee: $30 per student
If you are a student in need of financial assistance, an Anonymous Donor has generously offered to provide financial support to cover application fees for select students. It is our intention to make this competition as accessible as possible to students throughout the state of New Mexico.
QUESTIONS?
Please email any questions regarding the competition to our Education & Community Projects Manager, Alice Norris, at anorris@santafesymphony.org.