A new prize for young musicians. A chance to perform with a symphony orchestra.

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String, Woodwind, Brass and Piano players can enter a new competition from the Fortismere Music Centre. First prize is the chance to perform a concerto of the winner's choice with the Fortismere Community Symphony Orchestra in a public concert and £200 towards music education.

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In order to be eligible, entrants must be:

• 18 years old or younger on 1 September 2020 

• Available to perform in the FCSO Spring Concert in March 2021

• Available to rehearse with the orchestra at least once prior to the performance

• Able to provide an accompaniment for competition

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Stage One: Application

Apply online below. Entrants are asked to provide a link to a video performance of a single complete movement of any concerto of their choice, ideally with piano accompaniment.

 

The deadline for initial applications is 31 January 2021.

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Stage Two: Competition Heats

Shortlisted entrants will be invited to perform in a ‘Heat’ at Fortismere School for Thomas Gregory (Musical Director of FCSO) and a guest instrumental specialist. There will be heats for: Strings, Woodwind, Brass, and Piano. There will be five instrumentalists per heat, and one heat winner.

 

Entrants will be asked to perform any complete movement from their chosen concerto, including cadenza where appropriate. They must provide their own accompanist.

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Stage Three: Grand Final

The winner of each heat will be invited to perform in a Grand Final at St Andrew’s Church for an audience and a panel of judges.

They will be asked to perform their chosen concerto, finishing at an appropriate moment before 25 minutes, including cadenza where appropriate. They must provide their own accompanist.

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Entrants are advised to avoid concertos that FCSO have already performed when choosing their program. A list of previously programmed concertos is available here.

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Working with Covid-19:

We will be following government advice throughout. The initial heats will be without an audience, in a socially-distanced space. The Grand Final will hopefully be in a socially-distanced public space, however plans will change as more advice becomes available. The prize concert with Fortismere Community Symphony Orchestra may be delayed subject to government advice nearer the time.