• Application deadline Wednesday, February 1, 2023 
  • Early application deadline Thursday, December 15, 2022
• Semi-Final Round of Competition Saturday, April 22, 2023 
  • Westminster Presbyterian Church, West Hartford 
• Final Round of Competition Saturday, May 20, 2023  
  • Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Hartford 

• Contestants must be Connecticut residents in grades 9-12 during the 2022-2023 academic year.
• Previous first-place winners of HSO’s Young Artists Competition are not eligible.
• Contestants must perform on one of the following instruments:
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Clarinet
  • Bassoon
  • Horn
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Tuba
  • Saxophone
  • Percussion
  • Harp
  • Piano
  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Bass
  • Guitar

First Round of Competition

• Contestants must submit video recordings of two (2) pieces using the digital application form. Click here for tips about recording your videos. 
• One piece must be a movement, or excerpt of a movement, of a concerto or similar large-scale work for solo instrument and orchestra.* The second piece should be an encore-style work for solo instrument that is no more than 5 minutes long. 
• The concerto excerpt must be recorded with live piano accompaniment. Please contact us if you need assistance finding an accompanist. 
• Each recording should be a maximum of five (5) minutes long. Please indicate appropriate measure numbers on your application.  
• Each recording (piece) must be unedited. Only single-take recordings will be considered. 
• All music must be memorized. 

* Repertoire is subject to approval by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Please contact us if you have any questions. 

Semi-Final Round of Competition 

• Selected contestants must perform their entire concerto movement with piano accompaniment. 
• You must perform the same concerto as you recorded for the First Round. 
• The top five (5) contestants will advance to the Final Round on May 20.

Final Round of Competition

• Five Finalists will perform their concerto movement live with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. 
• The top three winners will perform a solo encore piece (this must be the same piece you submitted for the First Round). 
• The 1st Place winner will be offered an opportunity to perform with the HSO during the 2023-24 season. 

1^st Place $1000

2^nd Place $750

3^rd Place $500

Thank you to our 2020-2021 Young Artist Competition Sponsors! 

Jeffrey & Nancy Hoffman, Prize Underwriters of the Young Artists Competition

With additional support from:

Q: What qualifies as a “concerto movement” or “large-scale” work?

A: Any piece that features a solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment.

Q: Do I upload two separate videos for the concerto movement and solo works?

A: Yes, please upload separate videos for each piece.

Q: How should I label the video files?

A: Clearly label your files in the following format: “Your Name, Title of Work” (including movement). For example, “Timothy Brown, Gershwin Concerto in F, First Mvmt.”

Q: I’m having trouble uploading my application. What should I do?

A: Please email yac@hartfordsymphony.org and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Q: I don’t have an accompanist for my audition. What should I do?

A: We’re happy to help you! Email us at yac@hartfordsymphony.org for further assistance.