School of Music > Community Music > Concerts & Events > DePaul National Concerto Competition

DePaul National Concerto Competition for Young Performers

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2024 cello concerto winner Lucy Wu plays with the Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra behind her

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Students in piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and saxophone in 12th grade or younger are invited to audition for the annual DePaul National Concerto Competition for Young Performers. Violin, viola, and cello students may also enter the new string duo category.

What sets the DePaul CMD National Concerto Competition apart from other competitions is the selection of multiple winners performing on different instruments and the new duo string category. Selected applicants have the unforgettable experience of performing with a full, professional orchestra.

​Winners perform a movement of a concerto with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago.

Review Process

Submissions will be reviewed by our outstanding judges during the week of January 11, 2025. All participants are provided with written performance evaluations. Results will be posted online by Monday, January 20.

DePaul CMD National Concerto Competition Winner's Concert & Recording Sessions
  • March 3, 2025, 6:30pm​
  • March 24, 2025, 6:30pm
  •  Performance Video (MP4 only). Audition video must include the entire movement or required piece (including cadenza for solos). No partial performances permitted. Memory required for solos. Sheet music permitted for duos.
    • Performance must be accompanied by piano. 
    • Orchestra accompaniment not permitted.
    • Audition video must be one unedited take, shot from a single camera angle.
    • No video editing of any kind is permitted, including (but not limited to) cuts, fade-ins, fade-outs, panning, close-ups, and multiple camera angles.
    • Performer(s) must be visible in the video at all times.
  • Open to students 12th grade or younger. 
  • Entries from university students not permitted.
  • Students who were winners in the 2024 Concerto Festival may not audition for the 2025 Concerto Festival on the same instrument.
  • A student who has been a winner three times may not audition again regardless of instrument.
  • Contestants may enter in multiple categories but are only eligible to win in one category.
  • In the duo category, both contestants must be students. Instructors are not permitted to enter with their students.
  • Contestants will not be officially enrolled unless the registration fee is received by the registration deadline.
  • There are no refunds for cancellation or any other circumstances after registering.
  • Videos must be submitted simultaneously with registration materials.
  • In the event of insufficient enrollment, the competition will be cancelled, and refunds will be issued.
  • Registration fees for the 2024-2025 competition: Solos - $180. Duo - $230.
  • Early bird discount: save 20 percent if you register by October 15, 2024.
  • All fees are non-refundable.
  • Online payment required.
  • Submit Checklist:
    • Entry Fee. Click here to pay. 
    •  Registration Form (Duo entries must submit one registration form per duo.)
    • Performance Video - CREATE ONE folder with the contestant’s name(s) and DePaul Concerto Competition in the Google Drive with the video performance. Share folder as an editor to communitymusic@depaul.edu by Registration Deadline (12/8/2024). Example: “Alice Smith – DePaul Concerto Competition 2025”
    • For further assistance on allowing access in Google Drive, click the link here:
  • Entries from university students not permitted.
  • Students who were winners in the 2024 Concerto Festival may not audition for the 2025 Concerto Festival on the same instrument.
  • A student who has been a winner three times may not audition again regardless of instrument.
  • Contestants will not be officially enrolled unless the registration fee is received by the registration deadline.
  • There are no refunds for registrant cancellation or any other circumstances after registering.
  • Videos must be submitted simultaneously with registration materials.
  • Participants must perform one of the selections on the repertoire list.
  • Appropriate accompanist cuts are requested.
  • Piano accompaniment required, no other instrumental accompaniment allowed. Orchestra accompaniment not permitted. 
  • Teachers may accompany their own students. 
  • Teachers are not permitted to perform with their students in the duo category.
  • Winners will be recommended by the judges. 
  • If selected as a winner, proof of age and school status will be required.
  • Winners must be available to perform on the following dates: March 3, 2025 or March 24, 2025. Performance dates will be assigned once winners have been selected.
  • Winners and honorable mentions will be awarded.
  • Winning soloists and duo will participate in a rehearsal/recording session with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago. 
  • Winners will receive a high-resolution video recording of the performance.​
  • Winners must perform the same concerto movement for both their audition and Winners Concert performance.
  • If, in any division, the judges decide that no contestant is sufficiently qualified, no winner will be selected.​​
  • Winners are responsible for all travel expenses, including transportation, room and board, food, etc.
  • Written performance evaluations will be emailed to teachers and participants.
  • Auditioning with incorrect repertoire automatically disqualifies a participant.
  • No section repeats, unless specified in repertoire list.
  • Judges will be selected by the DePaul University Community Music Division.
  • All decisions are final.
  • Judges are prohibited from judging their own students.
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2024-2025 DePaul National Concerto Competition Repertoire​

1. Elgar, E.: Romance, Op. 62
2. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in Bb Major, K. 191, Mvt. 1
3. von Weber, C. M.: Concerto in F Major, Op. 75, Mvt. 1 

1. Boccherini, L.: Concerto in Bb Major, G. 482, Mvt. 1 or 3
2. Bruch, M.: Kol Nidrei, Op. 47
3. Dvorak, A.: Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104 – Mvt. 1
4. Elgar, E.: Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85, Mvt. 1 & 2, or 4
5. Fauré, G.: Élégie, Op. 24
6. Haydn, F. J.: Concerto in C Major, Hob. VIIb:1, Mvt. 1, 2, or 3
7. Lalo, E.: Concerto in D Minor, Mvt. 1 or 2
8. Popper, D.: Hungarian Rhapsody, Op. 68
9. Saint-Saens, C.: Allegro Appassionato in B Minor, Op. 43
10. Saint-Saens, C.: Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33, any movement

1. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in A Major, K. 622, Mvt. 1 or 3
2. Rossini, G.: Introduction, Theme and Variations in Eb Major
3. Stamitz, C.: Concerto No. 3 in Bb Major, Mvt. 1
4. von Weber, C. M.: Concertino, Op. 26
5. von Weber, C. M.: Concerto No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 73, Mvt. 1 or 3
6. von Weber, C. M.: Concerto No. 2 in Eb Major, Op. 74, Mvt. 1 

1. Bach, J.S.: Suite in B minor - Overture
2. Chaminade, C.: Concertino, Op. 107
3. Griffes, C.: Poem, A. 93
4. Hue, G.: Fantaisie
5. Ibert, J.: Flute Concerto, Mvt. 1
6. Liebermann, L.: Flute Concerto, Op. 39, Mvt. 1
7. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in G Major, K. 313, Mvt. 1
8. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in D Major, KV. 314, Mvt. 1  
9. Reinecke, C.: Flute Concerto in D Major, Op. 283, Mvt. 1

 

1. Barber, S.: Canzonetta for Oboe and Strings
2. Cimarosa, D.: Concerto in C Minor, Mvt. 1 & 2 or 3 & 4
3. Haydn, F. J.: Concerto in C Major, Hob. VII:C1, Mvt. 1
4. Hummel, Johann Nepomuk: Introduction, Theme and Variations, Op.102
5. Marcello, B.: Concerto in C Minor, Mvt. 1 & 2 or 2 & 3
6. Martinů, Bohuslav: Oboe Concerto, H.353 Mvt 1 or 3
7. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in C Major, K. 314, Mvt. 1
8. Vaughan Williams, Ralph: Oboe Concerto Mvt. 1, 2 or 3

1. A Glazunov: Concerto for alto saxophone, Op. 109
2. J. Ibert: Concertino da Camera for alto saxophone (1935) – Mvt. 1 Allegro con moto
3. J. Ibert: Concertino da Camera for alto saxophone (1935) – Mvt. 2 Larghetto; Animato molto
4. H. Villa-Lobos: Fantasia for soprano or tenor saxophone, W. 490 – Mvt. 1 Animé
5. H. Villa-Lobos: Fantasia for soprano or tenor saxophone, W. 490 – Mvt. 2 & 3 Lent; Tres Animé

 

1. Bach, J. S.: Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052 – Mvt. 1 or 3
2. Bach, J. S.: Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056 – Mvt. 1
3. Beethoven, L. van: Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 – Mvt. 1 or 3
4. Beethoven, L. van: Concerto No. 2 in Bb Major, Op. 19 – Mvt. 1 or 3
5. Beethoven, L. van: Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 – Mvt. 3
6. Haydn, F. J.: Concerto in D Major, Hob. XVIII:11 – Mvt. 1 or 3
7. Grieg, E.:  Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16 - Mvt. 1 or 3
8. MacDowell, E.: Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 23 - Mvt. 3
9. Mendelssohn, F.: Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25 – Mvt. 1 or 3
10. Mendelssohn, F.: Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 40 – Mvt. 1
11. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto No. 12 in A Major, K. 414 – Mvt. 1 or 2
12. Mozart, W.A.: Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466 – Mvt. 1 or 2
13. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 – Mvt. 3
14. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488 – Mvt. 1
15. Saint-Saens, C.: Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22 - Mvt. 1 or 3
16. Schumann, R.: Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54 – Mvt. 1

 

1. Casadesus, H.: Concerto in B Minor in the style of Handel, Mvt. 1
2. Clark, R.: Viola Sonata with Orchestra (arr. Ruth Lomon), Mvt. 1
3. Hoffmeister, F. A.: Concerto in D Major, Mvt. 1
4. Telemann, G. P.: Concerto in G Major, Mvt. 1, 2, or 4
5. Stamitz, C.: Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Mvt. 1
6. von Weber, C.: Andante & Rondo Ungarase Op. 35 (Primrose edition only)

 

1. Bach, J. S.: Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041 – Mvt. 1 or 3
2. Bach, J. S.: Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042 – Mvt. 1
3. Bologne, J.: Concerto in A Major, Op. 5, No. 2, Mvt. 1 or 3
4. Bruch, M.: Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26 - Mvt. 1, 2, or 3
5. Haydn, F. J.: Concerto in G Major, Hob. VIIa:4 – Mvt. 1
6. Kreisler, F (Pugnani): Preludium and Allegro
7. Massenet, J.: Meditation from Thais
8. Mendelssohn, F.: Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 – Mvt. 1, 2, or 3
9. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in G Major, K. 216 – Mvt. 1
10. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in D Major, K. 218 – Mvt. 1
11. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in A Major, K. 219 – Mvt. 1
12. Saint-Saens, C: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
13. Vivaldi, A: Concerto No 1 in E Major, Op. 8, RV 269 (“Spring” from the Four Seasons) – all Mvts. required
14. Vivaldi, A: Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 8, RV 315 (“Summer” from the Four Seasons) – all Mvts. required
15. Vivaldi, A: Concerto No. 3 in F Major, Op. 8, RV 293 (“Autumn” from the Four Seasons) – all Mvts. required
16. Vivaldi, A.: Concerto No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 8, RV 297 (“Winter” from the Four Seasons) – all Mvts. required
17. Wieniawski, H.: Concerto No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 14 – Mvt. 3
18. Wieniawski, H.: Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 22 – Mvt. 1, 2, or 3

 

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DePaul Concerto Festival History    

Click here to learn about past Concerto Festival Winners

The DePaul Concerto Festival for Young Performers was founded in 2003 to provide an opportunity for intermediate level pianists in the Community Music Division to perform with an orchestra. Repertoire was selected from sonatina movements and short piano pieces for which string accompaniments were available. Auditions were held and eight winners were selected to perform with the DePaul Youth String Orchestra. 


In 2004, the Festival was expanded to include violin students and also offered a wider range of repertoire for pianists. In 2006, cello and flute were added to the roster of instruments. To accommodate the increasing difficulty of repertoire, a decision was made to conduct the Festival with a full symphony orchestra. A partnership was formed in 2007 with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago under the direction of Mina Zikri. That year, thirteen winners had the privilege of performing a concerto movement in concert. 


In 2008, the Festival was opened to students outside of the Community Music Division. Viola was added in 2009, clarinet in 2012, and oboe and bassoon in 2013. 

Today the DePaul Concerto Festival attracts nearly 150 participants in piano, strings, and woodwinds from the Midwest who audition for a chance to perform with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago. We invite and encourage young musicians to audition for an opportunity to participate in the Concerto Festival.