Page Category: student concerto

Graves Piano Company
5798 Karl Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43229

The competition is open to all Ohio students. Entrants are divided into two categories:  Junior Division, high school seniors and younger; and Senior Division, full-time students ages 19-24 (as of audition date–January 23, 2027). There is a $60 application fee. Registration opens online November 1, 2025.
The application deadline is January 4, 2027. Applications must be submitted online.

Each applicant must provide their own accompanist. Instrumentalists should perform one movement from a concerto from the orchestral repertoire. For instrumentalists, the concerto can be any standard concerto movement, but the judges will only hear up to 12 minutes at the competition. Vocal performers should choose a piece from the vocal orchestral repertoire, including classical, Broadway, and opera. Students should not compete with any of the concertos that have been performed by NASO the previous two seasons. (Detailed information regarding past seasons’ repertoire and competition rules is available here).

Division winners will receive a $300 cash prize and will perform with the New Albany Symphony Orchestra at the McCoy Center for the Arts. Second place finishers receive a $150 cash prize. Third place finishers receive a $50 cash prize.

Please review the competition rules prior to submitting your application, which is available on the same page.

1. The Concerto Competition is open to all students who either have their permanent residence in Ohio or attend an Ohio college, university or conservatory. Entrants are divided into categories by age/school enrollment:  Junior Division, high school seniors and younger; and Senior Division, full-time students ages 19-24 (as of audition date–January 23, 2027). Vocalists and instrumentalists will compete in the same divisions. Past first place winners may not compete again.
2. The winners must be able to perform at a two concerts–11:30 am on Saturday, March 6, 2027 and 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 7, 2027 at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts in New Albany. Winners must attend rehearsals. (Dates and times of rehearsals TBA). All rehearsals take place at the McCoy Center for the Arts.
3. The competition will be held January 23, 2027 at the Graves Piano Recital Hall, 5798 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229.
4. Each applicant must provide their own accompanist. Instrumentalists should perform one movement from a concerto from the orchestral repertoire. The concerto can be any standard concerto movement, but the judges will only hear up to 12 minutes at the competition. Vocal performers should choose a piece from the vocal orchestral repertoire, including classical, Broadway, and opera. Students should not compete with any of the concertos that have been performed by NASO the previous two seasons:
   • SIBELIUS Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47, 1st movement (2025)
   • MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1, movements 1, 2 and 3 (2025)
   • KORNGOLD Violin Concerto 1st movement (2026)
   • SAINT-SAẼNS. Piano Concerto No. 2 1st movement (2026)
5. You must provide one original score for the judges. Additional original scores are encouraged, but not required. Photocopies are not permitted.
6. One movement only, or two less than 15 minutes total.
7. No piano tutti passages during audition.
8. You must perform with accompaniment and you must provide your own accompanist.
9. Memorization is required.
10. Your audition time will be sent via e-mail after the application deadline has passed. Please confirm your receipt of this e-mail.
11. The application deadline is January 4, 2027. Applications must be submitted online.
12. For questions, email the competition coordinator, Stephanie Dinsmore.