2025 Young Musicians Concerto Competition
This is open to all branches.
Competition Date: February 22, 2025 (Sat)
Application Deadline: January 20, 2025 (Mon)
Location: Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
Important: Please see below and read the the 2025 JCM OC YMCC Rules carefully before filling out the form online.
COMPETITION RULES & GUIDELINES
Started in 2013 by Dr. Minji Noh and Dr. David Rentz, Young Musicians Concerto Competition provides a special opportunity for highly motivated young musicians to perform concertos with the live orchestra. This is a collaboration project of California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) Orange County, Junior Chamber Music (JCM) and Orchestra Collective of Orange County (OC of OC). The first place winner of each category will perform with the Orchestra Collective of Orange County under the baton of Dr. David Rentz.
Categories and Application Fees
Category A (Combined with CAPMT OC applicants): Ages 11 & under (Time Limit: 10 min.) $70
Category B (JCM only): Ages 14 & under (Time Limit: 10 min.) $80
Category C (JCM only): Ages 21 & under (Time Limit: 12 min.) $90
New! Category D (JCM only): All Ages. Multi-instrument Concerto. (Time Limit: 10 min.) $50/performer
Awards
Category A, B and C: First place, Second place and Third place (at judges’ discretion).
Category D: Only one ensemble will be chosen (at judges’ discretion). If the level is not deemed worthy, no ensemble may be chosen.
Repertoire Requirements
New! Category D: The Multi-Player Concerto category is open to ensembles consisting of 2 to 4 performers. Eligible ensembles may include duos (e.g., piano duet, two pianos), trios, or quartets performing concertos written for multiple soloists. Those who wish to enter Category D should contact OC of OC conductor Dr. David Rentz (davidjosephrentz@yahoo.com) for repertoire permission.
Pianists: Any concerto movement from the Classical era or any movement by Chopin, Grieg, Saint- Saens, Schumann, or Mendelssohn. Those who wish to play a concerto movement from other composers should contact OC of OC conductor Dr. David Rentz (davidjosephrentz@yahoo.com) for permission.
Non-Pianists: Contact Dr. David Rentz for approval of repertoire selection.
Ineligible Concerti for 2025:
Conus Violin Concerto in E Minor, I. Allegro molto
Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26, I. Vorspiel (Allegro moderato)
Hubay Hejre Kati, Op. 32 No. 4
Elgar Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85, IV. Allegro – Moderato – Allegro, ma non-troppo – Poco più lento – Adagio
Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations, Op. 33
Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, III. Presto - Molto allegro e vivace
Complete Rules
Age is determined by the date of the competition. The applicant has to submit a proof of age (a copy of driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.).
Previous First place winners are NOT eligible to compete for next two seasons.
All music should be performed from memory and a published copy of the chosen piece has to be presented at the time of the competition. No photocopies will be accepted. (This includes the ones used by the accompanists.)
Each competitor(s) has to provide his/her own accompanist that is not their private teacher.
There will be a minimum of one First place winner, one Second place winner and one Third place winner selected from each category (for Categories A-C) at judges’ discretion. Each First place winner will be required to perform with the Orchestra Collective of Orange County in Season 2025-26 (Date: September 2025 TBA). The details regarding rehearsals will be announced after the competition. If the selected First place winner is unable to perform on the announced date, the Second place Winner will take his/her place in performance.
Students of the judges will not be allowed to compete and the judges’ decisions are final.
All winners agree to allow their names, photographs and video files to be used in connection with the competition as publicity for CAPMT VIII OC Chapter, Junior Chamber Music and Orchestra Collective of Orange County.
There are NO REFUNDS of application fees in the event of non-participation.
The competition is open to pianists, vocalists and all instrumentalists currently enrolled in the 2024-25 Junior Chamber Music program. For additional information, email JCM-OC Director Minji Noh.