Composition and Concerto Competitions

Picture This!

Featuring the Sonoma State University Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Kahn, Director

Eligibility

• The competition is open to Sonoma State University students only.
• Only unperformed, unpublished, and un-awarded compositions will be considered.

Dates

• Entries must be submitted no later than December 5, 2025.
• The winning composition will be announced no later than December 12, 2025.
• Finished scores and parts of the winning composition must be submitted no later than January 23, 2025. Students may be requested to make revisions between December 12 and this due date.
• Composers of the winning composition should be prepared to attend all rehearsals of their composition, the schedule of which will be announced by the orchestra director.
• The winning composition will open the SSU Symphony Orchestra performances at the 2026 Band & Orchestra Festival, alongside the Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition.

Details

• Compositions to be considered should be scored for a full symphony orchestra and must not exceed 3-5 minutes in length. Applicants are encouraged to take inspiration from the scoring of the Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition and the personnel roster of the SSU Symphony Orchestra.
• The piece should be inspired by a work of visual art. The piece must be accompanied by a program note.
• The piece should be of minimal difficulty, requiring little rehearsal time for a young university orchestra.
• The score and parts must be complete, legible, and professional quality, adhering to the Major Orchestra Librarians’ Association music preparation guidelines.

Submissions

• Anonymous copies of the score and program note should be submitted via email. The composer’s name or any reference to the composer must NOT appear on the scores. Non-anonymous entries will be disqualified. Midi files are welcome but not required.
• All materials should be sent to Brooke Tester (brooke.tester@sonoma.edu).

Previous Composition Contest Winners

• Cameron Kaiser, Moritura Terra (2017)
• AJ Gonzales, La osa y la amopola (2019)
• Thomas Gosnell, home (2020)
• Michael Garrett, A Walk Home (2020)
• Emerson Kimble, Divertimento for Orchestra (2022)
• Jon Iten, The Main Attraction (2022)
• Charlie Gomez, The Tempered Valley (2023)
• Ezra Costa, Legacy (2024)

The Twelfth Annual Sonoma State University Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition will take place on Friday, April 2, 2027 at 7:30pm 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, March 5, 2027, at 5pm. Participants should provide 1 copy of the score (solo part or piano reduction preferred) 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, and students planning to attend SSU in 2027-2028.
• 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, April 5, 2027. Winner(s) will be invited to perform in concert with the SSU Symphony Orchestra during the 2027-28 concert season.

Winner(s) must be prepared to attend rehearsals and concerts as arranged with the Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra during the 2027-28 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
• 2025: Samuel Strong, Barber Violin Concerto; Sungdu Bae, Lieberman Flute Concerto; Quinn Hann, Butterfly Lover's Concerto
• 2026: Diego Borges, Debussy Premiere Rhapsodie for Clarinet and Orchestra; José Palacios, Bozza Ballade for Trombone and Orchestra