Getting their Big Break

Last year’s winners pictured here with competition
sponsor Ida Wilkof are Natasha Snyder, placed second
on violin and Patrick Broder, placed first on bassoon.

Each year, up-and-coming young musicians from across the region compete for the opportunity to perform as soloists in a concert with the Sarasota Orchestra. This is a valuable chance to make a professional debut, what many accomplished artists wait years for.

The Edward and Ida Wilkof Young Artists Concerto Competition was established in 1966. The Wilkofs wanted to plant a seed in talented youth and encourage them to aspire to professional heights. The couple’s endowment is an outgrowth of the artistic devotion Mr. Wilkof has shown to the Sarasota Orchestra for decades, as a generous philanthropist and longtime member of the orchestra’s Board of Directors.

This year's preliminary competition will take place on Oct. 9, 2010 at 2 p.m. in Holley Hall within the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, in Sarasota. Finalists will compete Nov. 13, 2010 at 2 p.m. also in Holly Hall. The public is invited to attend the final round, free of charge, and enjoy all of the brilliant competitors’ pieces.

The Young Artists Concerto Competition winners will perform at the Sarasota Orchestra’s Side-by-Side concert on Feb. 28, 2011. Tickets are available for purchase by calling the box office (941) 953-3434 or (866) 508-0611 or online.

Those interested in entering, may click here for contest rules, application and repertoire approved for the competition. For further information, please contact the Sarasota Education Department: (941) 487-2730.

1. A student playing an orchestral instrument must be currently enrolled in the Sarasota Youth Orchestra Program. A non-orchestral instrumental participant must be a current resident of Manatee, Sarasota or Charlotte County. Students must be enrolled in a Manatee, Sarasota, or Charlotte County school and have resided in one of the counties the previous year. All applicants must be 21 years of age or younger on the audition date.
2. A competition winner may not compete on the same instrument the following year.
3. The composition chosen must be for solo instrument(s) and orchestra. All music must be available for purchase, unless applicant is prepared to assume all costs for rental music. Participants are required to confirm the availability of music with the Sarasota Orchestra librarian prior to preliminary auditions.
4. Students must audition with the composition they intend to perform with the orchestra.
5. Memorization is required for competition finals.
6. On the day of the finals, the soloist must meet performance standards, regardless of the length or difficulty of the composition.
7. Ten minutes will be allowed for each preliminary audition. Fifteen minutes will be allowed for each final audition. (If a composition normally exceeds this time limit, the performer will be stopped when allotted time has expired.)
8. Judges may choose up to two winners to appear with the Sarasota Orchestra and/or Youth Orchestra, but are not required to declare any winners.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. Application forms are available at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, in Sarasota or by calling (941) 487-2730.
2. In order to be considered, the following items must be received by Sept. 28: a complete application form and the nonrefundable application fee of $25 (made payable to the Sarasota Orchestra).
3. Participants must provide their own accompanists or second pianists.
4. Accompanist and soloist must arrive at the audition site at least 15 minutes prior to performance for check-in.
5. Performers nor accompanists may warm-up on stage at the time of the audition.
6. At the time of the preliminary and final auditions, judges must be provided with at least one copy of music to be played. No photocopies will be allowed. Please number all measures (the beginning of each line is acceptable).
7. Any solo competition winner must be available for rehearsals with the orchestra prior to the performance, unless previous arrangements with the artistic staff have been made.
8. Names of those chosen for solo performances will be posted at the Symphony Center at the conclusion of the final auditions.

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