Welcome to Crescendo Concerto Competition

Excellence in Performance for Soloists & Orchestral Repertoire

The routine, registration, auditions (First Round), and recitals (Second Round) follow the same prestigious format as the Crescendo International Competition and Little Mozarts.

The Concerto Competition is open to eligible instrumentalists based on the age categories and requirements set by Crescendo International Music Competition.

Audition Date: Sunday, April 11, 2027, at Dio Piano School, West Vancouver, BC, Canada

Crescendo Competition Winners Concert and 20th Anniversary Ceremony of Crescendo International Music Competition Date/Location: Sunday, June 26, 2027, at The Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Register here

Repertoire

Repertoire specifications for Piano, Strings, Winds, Brass, and Ensemble concertos

All concertos must fall under the following orchestration:

Woodwinds: 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons
Brass: 2 Horns (French horns), 2 Trumpets
Percussion: Timpani
Strings: Violins I, Violins II, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses

Orchestra music must in the public domain or supplied by the applicant. Considerations may be made upon request.

Piano Concertos

  • Participants must select one concerto movement from the official Crescendo Concerto Syllabus.
  • Participants wishing to perform a concerto that is not included in the syllabus may contact the Competition Inquiry to request approval before registration.
  • Approval is subject to the suitability of the repertoire and availability of orchestral materials.
  • Cadenza must be performed if included in the selected movement.
  • Must be performed strictly from memory without sheet music.
  • Maximum duration: 10 minutes (longer pieces may be cut by jury).
  • Once repertoire has been approved and registered, changes require approval from the Competition.

String Concertos (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass)

 

  • Participants must select one concerto movement from the official Crescendo Concerto Syllabus.
  • Participants wishing to perform a concerto that is not included in the syllabus may contact the Competition Inquiry to request approval before registration.
  • Approval is subject to the suitability of the repertoire and availability of orchestral materials.
  • Cadenza must be performed if included in the selected movement.
  • Must be performed strictly from memory without sheet music.
  • Maximum duration: 10 minutes (longer pieces may be cut by jury).
  • Once repertoire has been approved and registered, changes require approval from the Competition.

Woodwinds, Brass & Voice

  • Participants must select one concerto movement from the official Crescendo Concerto Syllabus.
  • Participants wishing to perform a concerto that is not included in the syllabus may contact the Competition Inquiry to request approval before registration.
  • Approval is subject to the suitability of the repertoire and availability of orchestral materials.
  • Cadenza must be performed if included in the selected movement.
  • Must be performed strictly from memory without sheet music.
  • Maximum duration: 10 minutes (longer pieces may be cut by jury).
  • Once repertoire has been approved and registered, changes require approval from the Competition.

Duet & Chamber Concertos

  • Double or Triple Concertos (e.g., Bach Double Concerto, Mozart Sinfonia Concertante).
  • Performers must coordinate ensemble entries precisely.
  • Sheet music permitted only for ensemble partner accompanists.
  • Maximum duration: 10 minutes.

Requirements

Rules and submission requirements for First Round Auditions and Second Round Recitals

Eligibility Criteria

  • The Concerto Competition is open to eligible instrumentalists and vocalists who meet the age categories and requirements established by the Crescendo International Music Competition.
  • Applicants may be up to 26 years of age and are grouped into the following levels: Junior: Up to 10 years old, Intermediate: 11–14 years old and Advanced: 15–26 years old.
  • Teachers, parents, or self-submitting students may submit applications online.

First Round Audition (Live or Video)

Audition date: Sunday, April 11, 2027

Audition venue: Dio Piano School

Address: Unit 305, 1549 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9

Contact: [email protected], CC: [email protected], [email protected]

  • Live Audition: Select your preferred venue location during online registration. 
  • Participants must perform one movement only from their selected concerto. Accompanist required.
  • There is no warm-up, sound check, or rehearsal provided at the First Round audition.
  • Participants must arrive fully prepared and ready to perform at their assigned time.
  • The solo concerto part must be performed from memory in the First Round and at the Winners’ Final Concert.
  • Video Submission: High-definition unedited video upload (YouTube / Vimeo link) submitted via dashboard.
  • Video recording must clearly show performer’s hands, face, and instrument throughout the piece.
  • The solo concerto part must be performed from memory in the First Round and at the Winners’ Final Concert.
  • The jury’s decisions regarding results and selection of winners are final and not subject to appeal.
  • A juror should not evaluate a participant where a direct teacher-student relationship or other significant conflict of interest exists.
  • Applications must be completed by the announced registration deadline
  • Registration and participation fees are non-refundable

Audition fee for Concerto competition First round (Audition): $445 USD 

Second Round (Winners' Recital)

  • Winners must register for their recital venue and confirm attendance before the registration deadline.
  • Following the First Round, the jury will select 12 winners to advance to the Crescendo Winners’ Final Concert.
  • The jury’s decisions are final.
  • Winners will perform their approved concerto movement with a  full size of Philharmonic orchestra in Orpheum Theater (601 Smithe St., Vancouver, BC V6B 3L4, Canada)
  • Winners will perform the same approved concerto movement entered in the Competition.
  • Once the orchestral program has been confirmed, repertoire changes will not be permitted.
  • Registration fees for the Second Round are non-refundable as per Crescendo policies.

Rehearsals and Performance

Preparation guidelines and rehearsal schedules for First & Second Round performers.

The following are mandatory for all concerto competition winners:

  • One Orchestra Rehearsal
  • One Dress Rehearsal
  • Winners’ Final Concert with Full Orchestra

Crescendo International Music Competition reserves the right to make reasonable changes to schedules, performance order, rehearsal times, venues, conductors, orchestral arrangements, or other Competition details when necessary.

First Rehearsal with Philharmonic orchestra (Sound Checks)

Date: Thursday, June 24, 2027

Time: 5pm-8pm

Location: Killarney Secondary School, 6454 Killarney Street, Vancouver, V5S 2X7

*

Performers participating in Concerto competition winners’ recital are assigned a 15-minute rehearsal for acoustic sound check.

The schedule and call times will be communicated to the winners in advance.

Punctuality
Participants must arrive and check in by the time specified by the Competition.
A participant who is late for an audition, rehearsal, dress rehearsal, or concert may lose the opportunity to participate if the schedule cannot accommodate the delay.

Recital fees are non-refundable

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Photography, Video & Recording
Crescendo International Music Competition reserves the right to photograph, audio-record, video-record, livestream, broadcast, and publish Competition performances and related events for archival, educational, promotional, and publicity purposes.
Participation in the Competition constitutes consent to such use without additional compensation.

Second rehearsal with Philharmonic orchestra ( Dress Rehearsal)

Date: Saturday, June 26, 2027

Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm

Venue: Orpheum Theater, 601 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3L4, Canada, Saturday, June 26, 2027

*

Participants must arrive and check in by the time specified by the Competition.
A participant who is late for an audition, rehearsal, dress rehearsal, or concert may lose the opportunity to participate if the schedule cannot accommodate the delay.

Participants must arrive and check in by the time specified by the Competition.
A participant who is late for an audition, rehearsal, dress rehearsal, or concert may lose the opportunity to participate if the schedule cannot accommodate the delay.

Recital fees are non-refundable.

Photography, Video & Recording
Crescendo International Music Competition reserves the right to photograph, audio-record, video-record, livestream, broadcast, and publish Competition performances and related events for archival, educational, promotional, and publicity purposes.
Participation in the Competition constitutes consent to such use without additional compensation.

Winners recital in Orpheum Theater

Date: Saturday, June 26,

Time: 17:00

Orpheum Theater, 601 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3L4, Canada, Saturday, June 26, 2027

*

Winners must confirm their participation in the Winners’ Final Concert by the deadline provided by the Competition.
If a winner declines the opportunity or fails to confirm their participation by the specified deadline, Crescendo International Music Competition reserves the right to withdraw the contestant and invite another eligible participant.

Photography, Video & Recording
Crescendo International Music Competition reserves the right to photograph, audio-record, video-record, livestream, broadcast, and publish Competition performances and related events for archival, educational, promotional, and publicity purposes.
Participation in the Competition constitutes consent to such use without additional compensation.

Recital fees

Concerto Competition winners who will be performing with the full-size Philharmonic Orchestra: $2,850 USD

Solo recital fee: $780 USD

Recital fees are non-refundable.