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

DePaul National Concerto Competition for Young Performers

​​​

2025 violin concerto winner Kai Isoke Ali-Landing plays with the Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra behind her

​​​​​​​​​​​

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.


DePaul CMD National Concerto Competition Winner's Concert & Recording Sessions
  • March 2, 2026, 6:30pm​
  • March 23, 2026, 6:30pm


Please read through all guidelines carefully to ensure a complete understanding of the competition.

 

  • 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 live piano only. 
    • Orchestra accompaniment, or accompaniment by any instrument other than piano, is 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. 
  • All entrants must reside in the United States. No international entries are permitted.
  • Entries from university students not permitted.
  • Students who were winners in the 2025 Concerto Festival may not audition for the 2026 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 student

December 8, 2025: Registration payment and registration form due.
January 5, 2026: Video submission due.

No late payments, registrations, or video submissions will be accepted.

  • Registration fees: Solo - $185. Duo - $235.
  • December 8, 2025: Entry fee and registration form due.
  • January 5, 2026: Video submission due.
  • Early bird discount: save 20 percent if you register by October 15, 2025.
  • All fees are non-refundable.
  • Online payment required.
  • Contestants will not be officially enrolled unless the registration fee is received by December 8, 2025.
  • There are no refunds for any circumstances after registering.
  • In the event of insufficient enrollment, the competition will be cancelled, and refunds will be issued.

 

  • Checklist:
    • Read through all guidelines carefully to ensure your eligibility.
    • Entry Fee. Click here to pay. Entry fee due December 8, 2025.
    • Registration Form. Click here to register.  Form due December 8, 2025. (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. Example: “Alice Smith – DePaul Concerto Competition 2026”
      Share folder as an editor to depaulcmd@gmail.com. Video due January 5, 2026. 
    • For further assistance on allowing access in Google Drive, click the link HERE
  • Participants must perform one of the selections on the repertoire list.
  • Auditioning with incorrect repertoire (i.e. anything outside the repertoire list) automatically disqualifies a participant.
  • No section repeats.
  • Piano accompaniment is required. No other instrumental accompaniment is allowed, including backing tracks, metronomes, orchestra, solo instruments, or anything other than a live piano accompanist. The accompanist must be visible in the video.
  • Orchestra accompaniment not permitted. 
  • Appropriate accompanist cuts are requested.
  • Teachers may accompany their own students. 
  • Teachers are not permitted to perform with their students in the duo category.
  • Winners, honorable mentions with distinction, and honorable mentions will be awarded 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, 2026 and March 23, 2026. Performance dates will be assigned once winners have been selected.
  • Students who are unable to attend their assigned performance date will forfeit their status as winners.
  • 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.
  • Judges will be selected by the DePaul University Community Music Division.
  • Judges are prohibited from judging their own students.
  • All decisions are final.
  • Auditioning without a visible, live pianist automatically disqualifies a participant.
​​​​



2025-2026 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. Bach, C.P.E.: Concerto in D Minor, Wq 22, Mvt. 1 2, or 3
3. Bach, C.P.E.: Concerto in G Major, H445, Mvt. 1, 2, or 3
4. Chaminade, C.: Concertino, Op. 107
5. Griffes, C.: Poem, A. 93
6. Hue, G.: Fantaisie
7. Ibert, J.: Flute Concerto, Mvt. 1
8. Liebermann, L.: Flute Concerto, Op. 39, Mvt. 1
9. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in G Major, K. 313, Mvt. 1
10. Mozart, W. A.: Concerto in D Major, KV. 314, Mvt. 1  
11. 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 for Two Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043 – Mvt. 1
2. Mozart, W. A.: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola in E-Flat Major, K. 364 – Mvt. 1
3. Telemann, G.: Concerto for. Two Violas in G Major, TWV 52:G3 – Mvts. 1 & 2 or Mvts. 3 & 4
4. Vivaldi, A.: Concerto for Two Cellos in G Minor, RV 531 – Mvt. 1
5. Vivaldi, A.: Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor, Op. 3,  No. 8 (RV 522) – Mvt. 1

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. Bruch, M.: Romance in F Major Op. 85
2. Casadesus, H.: Concerto in B Minor in the style of Handel, 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

 

​​
DePaul Concerto Competition History    

Click here to learn about past Concerto Competition 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 Competition 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 Competition.