Concerto Competition

Orchestra stands at applause with soloist Nick Maritz in front of the piano

The Tenth Annual Sonoma State University Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition will take place on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 2:00pm in Schroeder Hall.

How to Apply

In consultation with your private instructor, please fill out the Concerto Competition Application Form (PDF) and submit it to Dr. Kahn via email by Friday, February 28, 2025, at 5pm. Participants should provide 1 copy of the score (piano reduction acceptable) to Dr. Kahn along with their application form, in the form of a pdf attachment or a link to an online score.

Competition Rules

The competition is open to Music Majors and Minors at Sonoma State University and all registered members of Sonoma State Music Department ensembles.
Concerti can be for single soloists or multiple soloists (concerti grossi, double concertos, duets, etc).
Arias, concert songs, and song cycles are all welcome provided they were originally written with orchestral accompaniment.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with Dr. Kahn for help in choosing an appropriate work before submitting an application.
Memorization is preferred but not mandatory.
Lengthy tutti sections should be omitted.

The committee reserves the right to choose several winners or not to choose anyone.

The winners of the competition will be announced via email by Monday, March 31, 2025. Winner(s) will be invited to perform in concert with the SSU Symphony Orchestra during the 2025-26 concert season.

Winner(s) must be prepared to attend rehearsals and concerts as arranged with the Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra during the 2025–26 concert season.

Past Winners

2016: Megan Rice, saxophone, Glazunov Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra; Zachary Hall, trumpet, Arutiunian Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra
2017: Jamelia Brown, soprano, Strauss arias for soprano soloist and orchestra; Spencer Causey, French horn, Mozart Concerto No. 2 for Horn and Orchestra
2018: Brynn Dally, cello, Saint-Saens Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra ; Spencer Causey, French horn and John Mayer, trombone, Telemann Concerto for Two Horns
2019: Nick Maritz, piano, Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue (featured in video above)
2020: Sungdu Bae, flute, Carl Reinecke's Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
2021: Matthew Bowker, Jacques Ibert Concertino for Saxophone; Isabella Grimes, Mozart Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
2022: Hikaru Hallberg, Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2
2023: Jason Whitney, Gordon Jacob Concerto for Horn and Strings; Charlie Whitaker, Copland Old American Songs
2024: Colin Bartlett, Steve Mackey Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra