Concert Artists Guild International Competition

The Concert Artists Guild International Competition is open to instrumentalists, singers and chamber ensembles performing classical and non-traditional repertoire.

All winners receive:
• Management Contract with Concert Artists Guild
• A New York Recital

Additional prizes include:
• Victor and Sono Elmaleh Award of $5,000
• BMI Commissioning Prize
• Naxos Recording Prize
• Performances with leading orchestras, concert series and festivals

The 2008 Competition

The Competition deadline has passed, and we are no longer accepting applications. 

Live semi-final and final rounds will take place in October 2008--
tentatively between October 13 and October 24, 2008.

Pay your application fee online!

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Below is general information about the eligibility and the application and audition process. Some details are subject to change.

Eligibility

SUGGESTED AGE LIMIT is 30 for instrumentalists and ensembles (average age), 35 for singers. Instrumentalists over 30, singers over 35, or ensembles with an average age over 30, must include a letter explaining why they consider themselves to be in the early stages of a professional career.

ENSEMBLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE for at least 12 months prior to the competition with the same membership.

NON-TRADITIONAL ENSEMBLES AND INSTRUMENTS are invited to apply. CAG would welcome a statement of purpose and information on repertoire and technical requirements, if appropriate.

DUOS CONSISTING OF SOLO INSTRUMENT WITH PIANO (such as violin and piano) will be placed in the category of the solo instrument. Applicants may choose their own collaborative artists for all rounds of the Competition.

APPLICANTS WITH NORTH AMERICAN MANAGEMENT are not eligible. However, CAG will be glad to work with existing managers who are handling engagements outside the US. Applicants with such management must arrange to have their managers submit a letter to CAG including the following statement, “[applicant] will be under management with [name of management] for the following territories: [list territories]. We understand that should [applicant] win the Concert Artists Guild International Competition, CAG will have exclusive management rights for the US.”

Additional Information

ACCOMPANISTS
Soloists must provide their own accompanists make all rehearsal arrangements and pay fees. CAG can recommend qualified accompanists and spaces for rehearsal in New York.

TRAVEL EXPENSES
Competitors are responsible for their own and their accompanists’ travel and accommodation expenses.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
Repertoire should include music in a variety of styles and periods. No specific works or composers are required. Selections should demonstrate the applicant’s breadth of technical and artistic abilities. Applicants may repeat repertoire in subsequent rounds. Specialists in either contemporary, early or non-traditional music may apply. Repertoire for these musicians must show programmatic diversity and technical scope. Singers must include selections in at least three languages, one of which must be English. There is no aria requirement, and no more than two operatic arias may be included.

PRELIMINARY ROUND
Applicant must submit two identical CD recordings with 30-45 minutes of music showing the range and scope of the applicant’s artistry.

SEMIFINAL ROUND
• 60-70 minutes of music (50-60 minutes of music for singers)
• Complete works only unless it is common practice to perform selected movements of the work (e.g., the Bach Chaconne or a selection of Chopin Preludes). Singers may submit individual songs or groups as they would in a recital.
• Include at least one selection composed since 1990.
• It is recommended that all solo instrumentalists include at least two major works – one should be a concerto (except pianists) and the other a sonata or work of similar content or breadth. At least one major work must be performed from memory.
• Upon acceptance into the Semifinal Round, applicants will receive a new Repertoire Sheet to submit for that round.

FINAL ROUND
The Final Round will consist of an uninterrupted recital program approximately 20-25 minutes in length. The program may include complete works or movements from larger works. Finalists will be asked to submit two or three concert programs and a concerto repertoire list, if appropriate. Although there will be a printed program, applicants are encouraged to announce their program to the audience.

SELECTION
Applicants will be accepted to the Semifinal Round of the Competition on the basis of evaluations of the submitted CDs by independent judges. All applicants will receive written notification on advancement to the Semifinal Round. Winners or Finalists of other major competitions may, at the discretion of CAG staff, be invited to proceed directly to the Semifinal Round. If you feel your competition record warrants such consideration, please include a letter with your completed application.