Also see: Peabody-Sponsored Competitions. To access information about more than 1000 competitions and auditions, search using the resources on our Job Search Page. This page only lists selected off-campus competitions in the mid-Atlantic region.
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Date: Annual
2017 Application Deadline: February 8
2017 Competition Dates: May 24-25
Location: Washington, DC
URL: http://education.kennedy-center.org/education/vsa/programs/soloists_award.cfm
Each year, a select number of outstanding young musicians with disabilities, ages 14-25, from around the world receive the VSA International Young Soloists Award. These emerging musicians win a $2,500 prize, professional development experiences, and the opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Started by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith in 1984, the program, open to musicians of any instrument or genre, has provided opportunities for hundreds of emerging young musicians with disabilities.
All genres of music are accepted, including but not limited to classical, jazz, hip-hop, rap, rock/alt rock, pop, indie, bluegrass, folk, country, R&B/blues, Latin, and World.
To Apply: See site for guidelines and to submit an online application.
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Date: Annual (2016 was for Singers)
2017 Application Deadline: February 15
2017 Competition Dates: June 3-4
Location: Washington, DC
URL: www.fmmc.org/competitions/washington-international-competitions/2017-wic-for-piano-2
The 2017 64th Annual Washington International Competition for Piano will take place on June 3 and 4, 2017. Semifinals will be at the University of the District of Columbia Music Department, 4200 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC 20008 on Saturday, June 3 from 9:30-5:00 pm. The finals will be on Sunday, June 4 in the UDC Theatre for the Arts from 2:00-5:00 pm.
Prizes:
Performance Awards:
To Apply: Please see URL listed above for details regarding location, judges, and application instructions. All application materials are available at app.getacceptd.com/wic.
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Date: Annual
2017 Application Deadline: February 17
2017 Competition Date: April 7-8
Location: Alexandria, VA
URL: http://partners4thearts.org/vocal-competition-2/
PARTNERS for the Arts will hold its 5th Annual Opera Awards Competition April 7 and 8, 2017, in search of opera’s rising stars. It will consist of a preliminary round and a final round. Both rounds of the competition will take place in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The judges will come from prominent opera companies that are partnering with us.
Eligibility: As of 2017, all singers, whether or not under artist management, are invited to enter the Competition.
Prizes:
To Apply: Submit application form, fee, and required materials: http://partners4thearts.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Application2017.pdf
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Date: Annual
2017 Application Deadline: February 24
2017 Competition Dates: April 29 (Semi-finals); April 30 (Finals)
Location: Annapolis, MD
URL: http://annapolisopera.org/operas-events/29th-annual-vocal-competition
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 20 and no more than 35 years of age as of April 1 of the competition year and be residents, students or working in Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia or West Virginia or students attending Westminster Choir College or Rutgers at New Brunswick.
Application Instructions: See site listed above.
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Date: Annual
2017 Application Deadline: February 25
2017 Competition Date: March 11
Location: Bethesda, MD
URL: www.fmmc.org/competitions/local-student-competitions (scroll down towards the bottom for information regarding this specific competition)
The 2017 Sue Goetz Ross Memorial Competition for voice students ages 17 to 22 will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 7611 Clarendon Road, Bethesda, MD.
Awards:
Repertoire: Three selections of contrasting style and period, memorized:
To Apply: A $35 non-refundable application fee is required. You may pay by check payable to “Friday Morning Music Club” and submit with your application form. To pay the application fee online, please click on the “Pay Now” button via the URL listed above. Deadline for applications is February 25, 2017. No express mail will be accepted. Please contact Mira Yang regarding any questions at hsvoice@fmmc.org.
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Date: Annual
2017 Application Deadline: March 8
Location: Philadelphia, PA
URL: http://astralartists.org/auditions/how-to-apply
Winners are invited onto Astral’s roster in fulfillment of Astral’s mission to discover the most promising classical musicians residing in the United States, assist their early professional career development, and present their world-class artistry to the community through concerts and engagement programs.
Astral provides individually tailored services that include but are not limited to:
Applicants must provide:
Further details regarding the application process and timeline are provided on the URL listed above.
Eligibility:
Please Note:
To Apply: See URL listed above.
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Date: Annual
2017 Application Deadline: March 9
2017 Competition Date: March 26
Location: Alexandria, VA
URL: http://www.alexsym.org/education/lasley-scholarship/
Now in its 41st year, the Mary Graham Lasley Scholarship Competition encourages young performing artists in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. In the 1980s, Mary Graham Lasley was a major figure in the musical world of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., and was active on the boards of the Washington Opera Guild, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and the Alexandria Symphony Guild, predecessor of today’s Symphony Orchestra League of Alexandria, Inc., known as SOLA. In tribute to her contributions, her family and friends established a trust in her memory upon her death in 1984. The Trust and SOLA support the annual Competition.
The MGL competition will take place on Sunday, March 26, 2017 on the Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria Campus – Tyler Building 3001 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22302
For strings, winds, piano, and percussion – Each contestant must perform a significant movement of a concerto or work of equal difficulty composed for solo instrument and orchestra accompaniment. Performance time is limited to 15 minutes or less for each contestant. The composition must be performed from memory. Concert dress is required. The competition is limited to fifteen (15) students,
Purpose: To encourage and foster the development of student performing artists in the Commonwealth of Virginia, District of Columbia and State of Maryland.
Awards: Cash prizes of $2,500, $2,000 and $1,500 will be awarded with the opportunity for one of the winners to be invited to solo with the orchestra or a chamber group at the discretion of the Music Director. Judges will have the option of naming one, two or three winners. Winners will be announced at the close of the competition, and applicants are encouraged to stay for awards ceremony photos.
Eligibility: Any current full-time graduate or undergraduate student of music who either: attends any college, university or conservatory in the Commonwealth of Virginia, District of Columbia or State of Maryland OR is a legal resident of Virginia, D.C. or Maryland currently studying elsewhere is eligible. Previous competitors, except first place winners, are eligible. Students whose résumé does not reflect sufficient performing experience may not be accepted for the competition. Contestants may not be more than 25 years of age as of March 26, 2017.
Judges To be selected by SOLA Scholarship Committee. Judges’ decisions will be final.
Rules:
1. Composition must be performed from memory.
2. Applicant must provide 3 copies of full score sheet music for judges. Name of competitor, teacher or school may not appear on copies.
3. Contestant must provide his/her own accompanist. Rehearsal rooms will be available prior to performing.
4. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 9, 2017.
Fee: A nonrefundable entry fee of $25 payable to “SOLA” must accompany the application form.
To Apply: Please see the site listed above to download and print the application for mail entry. Send applications to MGL Scholarship, SOLA, P. O. Box 25993, Alexandria, VA 22313. Please note that students and teachers must complete the printed application. Online applications will receive an e-mail to verify submission. This will be accepted as a digital signature. Online applicants should be able to present their Social Security number if they win an award. The deadline for application is March 9, 2017 and competition will be based upon the date of receipt of application. If you have questions, email Susan Sticha at ssticha@cox.net.
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Date: Annual. 2018 Competition will be for Piano (alternates annually between voice and piano).
2017 Application Deadline: March 16
2017 Competition Dates: April 7 (Preliminary Round) & April 22 (Final Round)
Location: Baltimore, MD
URL: www.communityconcertsatsecond.org/wonderlic
Established in 1990 through a bequest of the late Russell C. Wonderlic, this competition alternates annually between voice and piano and has helped many young artists launch international music careers. Each year Community Concerts presents the finalists in recital at one of its afternoon concerts. Finalists will compete for top honors and cash awards of $1,500 , $1,000 and $500. Pianists Awadagin Pratt and Eric Zuber and soprano Hyunah Yu are prominent past winners. The 2018 competition is for piano. 2019 will be for voice.
Prizes: 1st – $1,500; 2nd – $1,000; 3rd – $500.
To Apply: See site listed above for eligibility and application information.
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Date: Annually
Competition Date: 2017 Date was Dec. 9
Application Deadline: 2017 Deadline was Nov. 25
Location: Kennett Square, PA
URL: https://kennettsymphony.org/competitions/2017-voice-competition/
Requirements:
Prizes:
To Apply: Download the 2017 Application Form. $35 application fee. Auditorium time restraints limit the number of performers. Postmark dates on the submission of the application will be used to prioritize the applications – those coming after all available timeslots are filled will be added to a standby list on a first come-first serve basis. Note from PCS: Be sure to include a one-page resume with your application even if it isn’t required.
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Date: Annual
Application Deadlines: 2015 Deadline was October 1 (no application fee); November 2 ($10 application fee)
Location: Columbia, MD
Award: $5,000
URL: http://www.hocoarts.org/explore/learn-participate/celebration-of-the-arts/
Follow the Rising Star section within the above link for specific eligibility requirements. In sum, the Rising Star Award competition is open to individual performing artists and members of small ensembles, ages 18-35, who live, train, work, or perform regularly in Howard County or have done so in the past. Up to ten individuals and/or group finalists will perform at the Arts Council’s annual benefit gala, Celebration of the Arts in Howard County, held at HCC’s Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center in Columbia, MD on the evening of March 19, 2016.
The event audience of over 500 artists, arts patrons, business and political representatives, and other community members will then vote for their favorite performer. The winner of the popular vote will receive the $5,000 Rising Star Emerging Performing Artist Award on stage that night.
To Apply: See the link above for Application Guidelines and more information
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Date: Annual
2016 Application Deadline: March 25 (postmark date)
2016 Competition Date: May 14
Location: Washington, DC (Music Department of George Washington University in Foggy Bottom)
URL: www.vocalartsdc.org/youngartists.shtml
Each year, Vocal Arts DC has holds a vocal competition open to all singers who are residents of the greater DC area, including Baltimore and Annapolis, as well as Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Application Process: Singers are asked to send a CD by mail for review along with a sample program that the singer is prepared to perform in recital. The CD must contain a total of 4 songs in 4 different languages (one must be in English). The CDs will be reviewed in a blind audition. From there, finalists will be selected for a live audition. Finalists will be notified in mid-April, and final auditions will be held on the Foggy Bottom campus of George Washington University on May 14, 2016 between late morning and mid-afternoon. Singers interested in entering the competition should download the application form available from the URL listed above. Further application details can be found on the application form. If any questions arise, please contact Peter Russell, General Director, by phone at (202) 669-1463 or PeterRussell@VocalArtsDC.org.
Prizes: The first prize winner will receive $7,000, and will be presented in recital by Vocal Arts DC in a prestigious Washington, DC venue during the spring of 2016. The second prize winner will receive $3,000, and will also receive an opportunity to be presented as part of a Washington, DC recital.
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Date: Annual
2016 Application Deadline: March 25
2016 Competition Date: June 9-10
Location: Washington, DC
URL: www.usarmyband.com/education-community/national-collegiate-solo-competition.html
Enter to win a chance to perform as the featured soloist with The U.S. Army Concert Band! The 2016 National Collegiate Solo Competition winner will perform on the West Steps of the U.S. Capitol and other Washington, DC-area venues the weekend of June 9-10, 2016.
Fill-in the form, save it to your computer and then e-mail the PDF form to: NCSC.usarmyband@gmail.com
Your application and links to your digital entries must be received by March 25, 2016
General Rules and Requirements:
Age Requirements: Must be age 27 years or under by January 1, 2016.
Save the Date: Competition participants must be available to perform his/her solo with The U.S. Army Concert Band in Washington, DC, on June 9 and 10, 2016.
Application Procedures:
Questions: Please contact Staff Sergeant Leigh Lafosse
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Date: Annually in the spring
2016 Application Deadline: April 1 (earlybird) or April 16 (final)
Location: New York, NY
URL: www.concertartists.org/competition
An annual competition open to instrumentalists and chamber ensembles performing classical and non-traditional repertoire. All winners receive a management contract with CAG and a New York recital. Additional prizes include BMI Commissioning Prize, Sylvia Ann Hewlett Adventurous Artist Prize, Naxos Recording Prize, and more.
The 2015 competition is closed to singers and the following: solo harpischord, early music forte-piano, organ, two-piano duo (four-hand piano duos may apply), saxophone quartet.
Musicians with North American management are not eligible. Ensembles should have been in existence with the same membership for at least 12 months prior to the competition.
Suggested age limit is 30 for instrumentalists and ensembles (average age). Instrumentalists over 30 or ensembles with an average age over 30 must include a letter explaining why they consider themselves to be in the early stages of a professional career.
To Apply: See concertartists.org/competition for application information and additional guidelines.
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Date: Annual
2016 Application Deadline: July 21
Location: New York, NY
URL: www.apap365.org/KNOWLEDGE/Professional%20Development/Pages/ypca.aspx
The Young Performers Career Advancement Program (YPCA) is a program of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) Classical Connections initiative designed to support classical musicians in the formative stages of their careers by offering opportunities to meet and work with established presenters, managers, agents and artists.
YPCA participants will attend intensive, specialized seminar activities at APAP|NYC 2017, where they will learn to set goals for longterm career development and create networking resources that last for an entire career. These sessions provide a practical overview of the presenting and touring industry and expert instruction in the development of audience engagement skills.
In addition to free access to APAP|NYC 2017, the world’s largest performing arts conference, all YPCA participants will perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in front of global arts leaders, performing arts presenters, managers, record company representatives and agents.
Eligibility. Selected YPCA 2017 participants must:
To Apply: Submit the completed application via our online system by 5 p.m.. EST on July 21, 2016. Applications will not be considered complete and therefore eligible without the following:
1. Recommendation from Representation
2. Artist Statement
3. Artist Bio
4. Performance History
5. Headshot
6. Resume
7. Live Recording CD (to be mailed)
Mail the live recordings to: Association of Performing Arts Presenters, ATTN: Danielle Rohar/YPCA, 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036. Live recordings may be *postmarked* by July 21 but it is preferable to submit them in time to reach the DC office by the deadline.
Questions? Contact Danielle Rohar, programs and resources associate, drohar@artspresenters.org.
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Date: Annual
2016 Application Deadline: August 5
Location: Mt. Vernon, VA
URL: https://www.wmpamusic.org/2016-17-composition-competition.html
About the WMPA Composition Competition: Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic (WMP) is a 60-70 member semi-professional orchestra that performs in Washington, DC and Alexandria, Virginia (www.wmpamusic.org). For its tenth annual composition competition, the Philharmonic requests submission of scores as delineated below. One composition will be selected for performance during the 2016-17 season. The winner of the competition will receive the “U. S. James Competition Prize” of $1,000.00.
Eligibility: The competition is open to composers of any age and whose permanent residence is in the Eastern States (ME, NH, VT, NY, MA, RI, CT, PA, NJ, DE, MD, DC, MI, OH, IN, WV, VA, KY, TN, NC, MS, AL, GA, SC, and FL). Compositions are to be received not later than July 15, 2016.
Criteria: A composition for symphony orchestra (not a concerto) must conform to the following: 15-25 minutes in length that employs the following instrumentation:
Submission (no application fee required). A Submission must be received no later than Aug. 5, 2016 and include:
Send submission to:
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic
PO Box 16442, Alexandria, VA 22302
wmpa@earthlink.net
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Date: Biennial
2016 Competition Application Deadline: November 30, 2015
Competition Dates: April 9 & 10, 2016
Location: Easton, MD
URL: www.chesapeakechambermusic.org/competition
Eligibility: The Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition (CCMC) is open to acoustic instrumental ensembles. The ensemble must consist of 3 to 5 members. Members must be engaged in study and/or performance and must be pursuing a career in music. The ensemble may not have more than one piano. On the application deadline, the average of the ages of all members of the ensemble shall be less than 31 years, based on the actual birthdates of the ensemble members. Please contact CCMC if you have questions regarding eligibility.
Application: An entry application must be submitted for the ensemble with a postmark no later than the published deadline. The application shall identify each member of the ensemble, his or her age on the application deadline, and the instrument played. The application shall be accompanied by a payment of $30 for each ensemble member.
Audition CD: The application must be accompanied by 3 copies of an audition CD of the ensemble. The CD shall have a total playing time of approximately 30 minutes duration and shall contain at least two works of contrasting style and character. The composer and title of the works performed must be written on the CD, including the specific movements. The name of the ensemble or its members must NOT be on the CD.
Performance Competition: The applications will be evaluated to select the ensembles that will be invited to participate in a performance competition held before an audience in Easton, Maryland on a designated date, typically in March. Each selected ensemble shall be prepared at the competition to perform a complete program of its choice, provided that the program contains three works of contrasting style and character. The competition program must be no longer than 45 minutes. While it is anticipated that four or five ensembles will be invited to participate, the number of invitations shall be solely at the discretion of Chesapeake Chamber Music.
Prizes: Prizes will be announced at the conclusion of the performances. The Gold Medalist will be awarded the sum of $10,000 and the Silver Medalist the sum of $5,000. Additional cash prizes may also be offered. The Gold Medalist will also receive a concert appearance at the Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival, typically in June. Other concert appearances (with additional stipends) may also be awarded for June. Prizes may be distributed, divided, or withheld at the discretion of Chesapeake Chamber Music. All prizes are conditioned upon full compliance by the ensemble and each of its members with the rules and requirements of the Competition. Cash awards will be distributed no later than during the Festival.
Additional Requirements: Acceptance of the invitation to participate in the performance competition shall constitute agreement by the ensemble and each of its members to the terms below:
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Date: Biennial
2016 Fellowship Application Deadline: December 1, 2015
2016 Audition Dates: March 7-11
Location: New York, NY
URL: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Ensemble-Connect
Ensemble Connect is a two-year fellowship program for the finest young professional classical musicians in the United States that prepares them for careers combining musical excellence with teaching, community engagement, advocacy, music entrepreneurship, and leadership. It offers top-quality performance opportunities, intensive professional development, and the opportunity to partner throughout the fellowship with a New York City public school. Ensemble Connect selects up to 20 musicians every two years. Fellows are selected based on their musicianship; commitment to music education and audience engagement; leadership qualities; and aptitude for teamwork.
Applications will be accepted for the following instruments only: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, tenor trombone, percussion, piano, violin, viola, cello, and bass.
Requirements: Applicants must have earned at least an undergraduate degree or its equivalent by September 2016, with a graduate degree preferred. You cannot be enrolled in a degree program while participating in Ensemble Connect. (If you are a DMA candidate, you must have completed your course work.) International applicants must have graduated from an American educational institution and be fluent in English, both written and spoken. If you are an international applicant, please be sure to read the document on the application site listed above regarding visa information. Please see this above site for further requirements and responsibilities of this fellowship.
Compensation & Time Commitment: Fellows receive a stipend of $25,000 along with health benefits and access to rehearsal and performance facilities. The average time commitment by each fellow is approximately 20 hours per week.
To Apply: For more information, including detailed application instructions and repertoire information, please see the above site.
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Date Posted: Annual
Application Deadline: 2016 Deadline was May 1 (extended to May 8)
Competition Date: Semifinals- Wednesday July 27, 2016. Finals: August 7th, 2016.
Location: Hyattsville, MD
URL: http://marylandlyricopera.org | https://app.getacceptd.com/marylandlyricopera
We believe that the individuality and the expressivity of the singers is the most important aspect of an operatic production. Therefore the goal of our competition is to choose the singers that best exemplify this philosophy. Once the finalists are selected our artistic staff will coach them for a week in these values. The final will be a gala concert accompanied by the MDLO Orchestra conducted by Glenn Quader. The awards encourage the development of those who are selected as finalists. The awards are as follows:
Requirements:
Eligibility:
Application deadline including prescreening audio selections as well as all information is May 1st, 2016 at 11:50pm PDT.
This will be a blind audition. Applicants are asked not to include their name in the title of the audio files submitted through the application so as to ensure anonymity for the preliminary round of competition.
Semifinals: Wednesday July 27, 2016 in the Washington DC area. Finals: August 7th, 2016.
Pianist: Nicolas Catravas, MDLO Pianist in Residence
Following the semi-final round of competition, finalists are expected to remain and take part in a week-long preparatory period where they will be coached by the artistic staff headed by MDLO’s artistic director Henriette Lund and rehearse with other finalists in preparation for the final round of competition. This will include rehearsal with the MDLO Orchestra and conductor Glenn Quader. We will assist in finding housing in the Washington, DC area.
The final gala concert will take place on August 7th, 2016. Any questions are welcome and can be directed to mdlo@marylandlyricopera.org.
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Date: Annual
2016 Application Deadline: Early (live & recorded), Aug. 15. Final (live), Sept. 1; (recorded), Sept. 15
2016 Competition Dates: Preliminary Round, Sept 12-30; Semi-Finals, Oct. 31 – Nov. 3; Finals, Nov. 5; Winners Recital, Nov. 7
Location: New York, NY
URL: www.yca.org/auditions/new-york
Young Concert Artists, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and developing the careers of extraordinary musicians from all over the world. Winners of the annual Young Concert Artists International Auditions are selected by a Jury of distinguished musicians. The criteria are exceptional musicianship, virtuosity, individuality, projection as a performer, and promise. The musicians compete against a standard of excellence, not each other.
Open for: Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, String Quartet, Piano Trio, Flute, Oboe, Horn, Trumpet, Woodwind Quintet, Brass Quintet, Voice, Guitar
See site for eligibility and application information: www.yca.org/auditions/new-york
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Date: Annual
2016 Application Deadline: October 15
Location: Washington, DC
URL: http://sandr.org/programs/washington-award
This award is presented to talented young artists in the fields of fine arts, music, drama, dance, photography, and film. The award is especially intended to encourage individuals who contribute to international cultural collaboration.
Each winner will be awarded a cash prize of $5,000. In addition, the Awards Committee may designate a Grand Prize winner who receives an additional $5,000 and will be eligible for a Foundation sponsored event showcasing the winner’s talents, such as a concert hall debut, gallery showing, or screening (depending on the artist’s medium and career goals).
Previous showcases supported by the Foundation have included debuts at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Terrace Theater at the Kennedy Center, and recitals with the Washington Conservatory of Music, among others.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
To Apply: See the site listed above for eligibility, application guidelines, and instructions.
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Date: Annual
2017 Application Deadline: Recorded Round, January 15, 2017 [Finalists must confirm intent and agreement to terms by February 5, 2017, and must confirm their program and accompanist information by February 19, 2017]
2017 Competition Dates: Finals: March 17, 2017; Winners’ Recital: March 18, 2017
Location: West Chester, PA
URL: https://www.philaflutesociety.org/competitions
Fees, Eligibility, Requirements, and Obligations:
Prizes: First place: $1,000; Second place: $500; Third place: $250
Dates and Deadlines:
Note: Failure to meet any of the above deadlines may result forfeitures of “Finalist” or “Alternate” positions should you be selected for the live “Final Round.”
To Apply: See site listed above for further details application instructions.
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