Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra Concerto/Aria Competition 2025

Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra Concerto/Aria Competition
Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at 3 p.m.

The competition consists of two divisions: 1) University, and 2) High School/Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra member.
1. University Division

The University division is open to any actively enrolled Mercyhurst student currently participating in private music instruction.

2. High School/MCO Division

The High School/MCO division is open to:
- Any high school-aged student playing an orchestral instrument.
- High school-aged pianists who participate in Mercyhurst programs.
- Any adult community members of the MCO.

Auditions will be held in person on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at 3 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall.

Memorization is required for pianists and vocalists. Optional for all other instrumentalists.
Accompaniment is required and is the responsibility of the applicant to organize.
Audition length is ten minutes maximum (please use cuts in accompaniment).
Up to one High School/MCO division and up to two University division winners will be chosen to perform with the MCO in concert on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 4 p.m. If there is not an eligible High School/MCO contestant, then it is possible to have three university division winners, if so qualified.

Repertoire (for both High School/MCO member and University divisions)

Total performance time at the concert may not exceed 20 minutes. Performance time for the concert is increased beyond that of the audition intentionally.
Instrumentalists: a single movement or a through-composed solo concerto/concert piece; or multiple movements if the total length stays within the 20-minute limit. In most cases, the latter example would be for a concerto with shorter movements than is the norm. NB: If a particular movement is not performed at the initial competition on Feb. 2, then it would not be eligible for the May 4th concert should the contestant be chosen as a winner. You can only perform with the orchestra what you audition with on Feb. 2.
Vocalists: maximum of two contrasting works for solo voice and orchestra.
Repertoire may be limited by availability/budget. In this case, the conductor would work with the contestant to find a comparable substitution. If you have any questions or concerns, please check with Dr. Gary Viebranz, MCO director, at gviebranz@mercyhurst.edu.

Apply by Friday, December 13, 2024, at 5 p.m.

First Name

Last Name

Birthdate

Email Address

Phone Number

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

I am a...

high school student

Mercyhurst University student

amateur MCO member

High School Name

Anticipated Year of Graduation

Private Teacher Name

Private Teacher Email

Accompanist's Name

Instrument

Voice

If instrument, type instrument:

Piece/Aria Title

Composer

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No

Notes/Comments

Mercyhurst University