2025 CAPMT Orange County Young Musicians Concerto Competition Rules and Guidelines

Competition Rules:
 
CATEGORIES & APPLICATION FEES
 
Category A (Combined with JCM applicants): Ages 11 & under (Time Limit: 10 min.) $70
Category B (CAPMT OC only): Ages 14 & under (Time Limit: 10 min.) $80
Category C (CAPMT OC only): Ages 21 & under (Time Limit: 12 min.) $90

If the teacher is not a member of CAPMT Orange County Chapter, there will be a 50% surcharge per application.

AWARDS
 
Category A, B & C: First place, Second place & Third place (at judges’ discretion).
 
REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
 
Pianists: Any concerto movement from 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 ([email protected]) 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
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  1. 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.). 
  2. Previous First place winners are NOT eligible to compete for next two seasons. 
  3. 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.)
  4. Each competitor has to provide his/her own accompanist that is not their private teacher.
  5. There will be a minimum of one First place winner, one Second place winner and one Third place winner selected from each category 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. 
  6. ​Students of the judges will not be allowed to compete and the judges’ decisions are final.
  7. 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.
  8. There are NO REFUNDS of application fees in the event of non-participation.  
The competition is open to pianists, vocalists and all instrumentalists studying with member teachers of CAPMT VIII OC Chapter.  Others will be accepted upon availability of space and in order of registration.  If the teacher is not a member of CAPMT Orange County Chapter, there will be a 50% surcharge per application.