REGULATIONS

Please read carefully!

The Montana State University, Bozeman School of Music announces its 35th Concerto & Aria Competition.  The purpose of this event is to nurture, encourage and support the music students at Montana State University and to promote the large ensembles at Montana State University, Bozeman through the performance of quality concerto and aria literature.

 

THE COMPETITION:

Preliminary Round: Sunday, November 24 from 5:00-10:00 p.m.

  • All accepted applicants will perform.
  • Audition times will be selected randomly.
  • Formal dress is required.
  • The preliminary round is closed to outside audience members.

Final Round: Monday, November 25 from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

  • Up to six finalists will be selected to perform.
  • Audition times will be selected randomly.
  • Formal dress is required for both rounds and the performance.
  • The final round will be an open performance for any audience members to attend.
  • At the discretion of the judges, it is possible that no contestant be named a winner should none be deemed of sufficient quality.

The winner(s) of the competition will perform in concert with the MSU Symphony Orchestra.

Performance Date: Friday, February 21, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall.

 

ELIGIBILITY: Please Read Carefully

The Concerto & Aria Competition requires all vocal, woodwind, brass, percussion and string contestants to be registered/enrolled in one of the MSU “auditioned large ensembles” AND Applied Music Studio (private lessons) during the Fall AND Spring semesters.  The term “auditioned large ensembles” constitutes the following ensembles: MSU Symphony Orchestra, MSU Wind Symphony, MSU Jazz Band and MSU Chorale. All pianists and guitarists auditioning must be music majors registered for applied music during the Fall AND Spring semesters OR be a non-major in a “large ensemble” AND Applied Music Studio during the Fall AND Spring semesters OR be a non-major accompanist for MSU music students AND in an Applied Music Studio during the Fall AND Spring semesters. Music education students that are student teaching during the spring semester may be exempt from the studio and ensemble participation requirement with approval of the studio teacher and Dr. Stewart.

 

REPERTOIRE:

  • Each contestant must perform a movement from a concerto for instrumentalists or two arias for voice from the standard repertoire. If the instrumental concerto is short enough, multiple movements may be accepted at the discretion of Dr. Stewart and the studio faculty member. The selection length for the audition cannot exceed 10 minutes but must exceed 6 minutes.
  • Contestants may make cuts where appropriate to shorten their audition time. Contestants are encouraged to cut lengthy accompaniment introductions and interludes to maximize the time the judges hear their performance.
  • Double and triple concertos are acceptable and encouraged.
  • Memorization is required for winners in the final performance. Memorization is also required for vocalists in both rounds of the competition. Memorization is HIGHLY recommended for instrumentalists in both rounds of the competition.
  • The audition application will either be approved or disapproved based on the feasibility of performing this work with the MSU Symphony Orchestra on the February concert taking into consideration the difficulty of accompaniment, rental material issues, orchestration, etc.
  • If you are unsure of the availability of the orchestral accompaniment, check with your studio instructor and/or Dr. Stewart well before the application is due.
  • The applicant must audition and perform with the piece listed on the application. This selection may not be changed after the application has been turned in.

                                  

DEADLINE: ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019

 

Complete the Audition Application Form and Return to Dr. Stewart in person or in his MSU Mail Slot in the Music Department Office.

 

PROCEDURE:

  • A printed application form must be completed and received by the deadline date – October 28, 2019 to Dr. Stewart. See Dr. Stewart's bulletin board for application forms or ask your studio instructor.
  • Accompanists are required for both rounds of the audition.
  • All contestants must provide their own accompanists for the competition.
  • All contestants must provide 4 copies of the score of their selection(s) to Dr. Stewart along with the application or they will not be allowed to perform.
  • Your application must include all the information requested therein. (See the following page)
  • The appropriate applied music faculty member must sign the approval of the application.
  • The winners of the competition must be available for subsequent rehearsals and the performance. Rehearsals occur on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-6:20 p.m.
  • All contestants must own their instruments or arrange for one to be available for all auditions and the final performance.
  • All contestants will be notified or receive audition times by November 18th
  • All previous competition winners may audition bi-annually.

 

 2019-2020 Concerto and Aria Competition Audition Form (Example)

Preliminary Round: Sunday, November 24 from 5:00-10:00 p.m.

Final Round: Monday, November 25 from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Performance: Friday, February 21, 2020

 

 

___________________________________                          ___________________________________

Student’s name (as it should appear on the program)                          Student’s email address                

 

___________________________________                          ___________________________________

Applied faculty member’s name                                                     Applied faculty email address                   

 

___________________________________                          ___________________________________

Student’s degree program                                                              Student’s year in school   

 

___________________________________                          ___________________________________

Instrument/ Voice classification                                                      Accompanist      

 

___________________________________                          ___________________________________

Composer of work(s) to be performed                                              Title of work(s) to be performed                

 

___________________________________                          ___________________________________

Movement/aria title(s)                                                                  Total performance length of movement/arias.

                                                                                   

 

___________________________________

Applied faculty member’s Signature

 

 

I have read the regulations governing the MSU Concerto and Aria Competition Audition, and I agree to abide by them.  By entering the audition, I agree, if chosen as a winner, to perform in the concert on Friday, February 21, 2020.

 

Audition forms must be submitted to Dr. Stewart by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October28, 2019. Please turn in 4 copies of the score along with this application.

  

_________________________________________

Student’s Signature

 

 

FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES CONTACT

Dr. Tobin Stewart

MSU Symphony Orchestra Director

E-mail: [email protected]