Calling All Young Musicians!
BD Performing Arts' BDWinds program is excited to introduce the First Annual Youth Concerto Competition, a premier opportunity for young musicians across Northern California. Open to performers aged 14-22, this competition offers a chance to showcase exceptional talent and earn the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist with BDWinds at Moraga Commons on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
A Platform for Rising Talent
BDWinds, an esteemed ensemble known for its excellence in wind performance, is inviting young musicians to audition for this extraordinary opportunity. Participants must prepare a solo piece under eight minutes with an accessible wind band accompaniment. This is a chance to bring classical and contemporary concertos to life in a dynamic, professional setting.
How to Apply
- Identify a concerto or other solo work for your instrument with band accompaniment (original or arranged from orchestra).
- The piece, movement, or excerpt must be under eight minutes.
- The concerto/solo must have wind band accompaniment in print or available in public domain.
- Record a video audition of you performing the solo part (no accompaniment required).
- Submit your online application including the video audition to bluedevils.org by Saturday, March 1st, 2025
- Pay a $25 audition fee
Eligibility:
- Age 14-22
- Soloists can perform on any acoustic instrument or voice (electronic instruments prohibited)
- The selected solo must have an available wind band accompaniment (in-print or in the public domain)
- Current, past, and future BDWinds members are encouraged to apply
A competition winner will be selected and announced by Saturday, March 8th, 2025
The winner will perform their concerto/solo with the BDWinds at an outdoor concert at the Moraga Commons Bandshell on Sunday, May 18th, 2025 (concert at 3 PM)
Concerto Competition FAQs:
How old do I have to be to participate?
To participate in the concerto competition, you must be between 14-22 years old at the time of the performance (Sunday, May 18th, 2025).
What types of soloists are accepted?
As long as the piece you are auditioning on has a wind band accompaniment, you can participate. This can include any acoustic instrument (see below) or voice.
Note: due to the restrictions at our outdoor venue, electronic solo instruments (such as electric guitar) are prohibited.
Is there a regional/location cut-off for participants?
The concerto competition is designed to showcase local talent in Blue Devils adjacent communities and all applicants must reside in Northern California. The winner of the concerto competition will be required to attend at least one weekday evening dress rehearsal in Pleasant Hill, California and the weekend concert in Moraga, California. The Blue Devils are based in Concord, California and part of Contra Costa County in the East San Francisco Bay Area.
Is there a difficulty-level requirement on the piece?
There is no difficulty level requirement for the soloist.
For the wind band accompaniment, the BDWinds can accommodate up to medium-advanced difficulty or a grade 5 out of 6. If you are unsure what difficulty level your intended piece is, please reach out to BDWinds Artistic Director, Dr. Kaitlin Bove (
[email protected]).
Does the piece need to be classical?
No. The piece can come from any genre as long as it has wind band accompaniment. A wind band score typically consists of flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinets, saxophones, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion (opt. string bass and piano). This instrumentation is different from a jazz band or a symphony orchestra. If the piece was originally written for symphony orchestra but a wind band arrangement is available, the piece is acceptable.
Where can I find music that will work for this competition?
A mostly comprehensive list of instrumental and vocal solos with wind band accompaniment can be found at WindRep.org. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage and select your instrument/voice in the "Soloist Categories" block. Double check that the piece is in-print or public domain in the General Info area of the piece's page.
How can I tell if the solo I am auditioning on has a wind band arrangement in print?
Check WindRep.org for the piece (ensure it is by the correct composer). Double check that the piece is in-print or public domain in the General Info area of the piece's page. You can also "Google" the piece and include "wind band arrangement" in your search. You are not responsible for obtaining the band accompaniment parts. Reach out to BDWinds Artistic Director, Dr. Kaitlin Bove (
[email protected]) if you need more support.
How do I apply?
Record your solo unaccompanied. Complete the online application form with your video and a $25 fee and submit it by March 1st, 2025.
What kind of recording should I make?
Do your best to take a recording that captures characteristic sound and tone of your instrument (or voice) with minimal distortion or clipping. A smartphone recording on landscape mode is typically a solid option. If you have access to other recording devices including a more advanced sound recording device, you may wish to record on two devices and replace your video audio with your audio recorder's audio. Please note - your video and audio should match and editing other than stitching sound and video from two devices of the same live take is prohibited.
What if I miss the application deadline?
Reach out to BDWinds Artistic Director, Dr. Kaitlin Bove (
[email protected]) if you are encountering application issues or miss the deadline.
When will I hear the results?
The results of the concert competition will be announced by Saturday, March 8th. If you are not selected as this year's winner, we encourage you to apply again next year.
What happens if I win?
The winner will be informed by Saturday, March 8th and given a chance to accept the opportunity to perform with the BDWinds. Between March 8th and May 18th, continue practicing the solo. A short Zoom or in-person meeting will be set up with BDWinds Artistic Director, Dr. Kaitlin Bove, to go over the music and logistics. In the weeks leading up to the performance, you will be scheduled to work with the BDWinds at one or more rehearsals and dress rehearsal. These rehearsals take place Monday evenings from 4:45-7:15 PM at Valley View Middle School in Pleasant Hill, California. You must be available to attend at least one (more preferred) rehearsal leading up to the performance. On May 18th, you will arrive at the Moraga Commons Bandshell for a soundcheck prior to the 3 PM performance.
What if I have more questions?