HHSO Youth Concerto Competition
A Stage for Exceptional Young Musicians
The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition gives talented young string musicians from across the Southeast the opportunity to perform challenging orchestral repertoire, compete for cash awards and scholarships, and share their artistry before a live audience and professional judges.
Up to 10 finalists will be selected to perform on Hilton Head Island in January 2027, with the first-prize winner also earning the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.
HHSO Youth Concerto Competition 2027
Who can apply?
The competition is open to musicians who:
- Play violin, viola, cello or bass
- Are age 18 or younger
- Have not yet graduated from high school
- Permanently reside in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia
Previous first-prize winners are not eligible to compete again.
Audition Piece Requirements
Applicants must select a recognized solo work for a single orchestral instrument with orchestral accompaniment.
The selected work:
- Does not need to include the word “concerto” in the title
- Must have orchestral accompaniment with a score and parts currently available
- May not be an arrangement, transcription or student work
- Must be at least 6 minutes and no longer than 15 minutes for the competition
- Must feature the competitor for the majority of the performance
- Must be performed from memory
Applicants may submit a preliminary audition video longer than 15 minutes. However, cuts will be required if the applicant advances to the finals.
Performances that do not meet the six-minute minimum will be disqualified.
If selected as a finalist, the competitor must perform the same work submitted with the original application. The only permitted changes are cuts required to meet the 15-minute competition limit.
Questions about repertoire should be directed to Steven Shaiman, HHSO Director of Education and Community Engagement, at [email protected].
How to Apply
Online registration is required.
Applications open August 31, 2026, and all materials must be submitted by October 30, 2026, before midnight Eastern Time.
Early submission is strongly encouraged. Deadline extensions will not be granted.
Applicants will receive email confirmation of submitted materials within approximately 48 hours.
Video Audition Requirements
Applicants must submit a video recording of their selected work with piano accompaniment.
Electronic keyboard or orchestral accompaniment may not be used.
The audition video must:
- Be submitted as a public or unlisted YouTube link
- Be recorded as one continuous, unedited performance
- Use a fixed camera angle
- Clearly show the accompanist
- Clearly demonstrate that the soloist is performing from memory
- Not be electronically altered or edited
Applicants are encouraged to use the highest recording quality possible. Background noise, echo, an out-of-tune piano or other recording issues may make it more difficult for adjudicators to accurately evaluate a performance.
Other video formats may be accepted only with prior approval from the competition director.
Registration & Fee
The Finals
Up to 10 finalists will be selected by the screening jury.
Applicants will be notified by email of finalist selections by the end of the day on December 1, 2026.
Finalists will perform their selected work from memory with accompaniment before professional judges and a live audience.
2027 Finals
Saturday, January 23, 2027
1 PM
St. Luke’s Anglican Church
50 Pope Avenue
Hilton Head Island, SC
Prize winners will be announced at the conclusion of the finals concert.
Finalists will receive written comments from the judges by email approximately two to three weeks after the competition.
Accompanists
Finalists are responsible for providing their own accompanist or may arrange to use a professional pianist provided by the competition.
Finalists using the competition pianist must be able to arrive on Hilton Head Island by 11 AM on Friday, January 22, 2027.
Each finalist will receive up to 45 minutes of rehearsal time with the pianist at St. Luke’s Anglican Church.
The fee for this service is $150, due by January 1, 2027.
The HHSO will make every effort to schedule musicians traveling from greater distances for later rehearsal times when possible.
Accommodations for Finalists
Finalists traveling with one parent may request complimentary accommodations with a local host family, subject to availability.
Applicants interested in a host family should note any allergies, dietary restrictions or other special requirements in the Additional Information section of the registration form.
For finalists who prefer hotel accommodations, the HHSO can provide information about Hilton Head Island properties offering favorable rates.
Additional Materials for Finalists
Finalists must submit additional materials by 5 PM on December 15, 2026.
Required materials include:
Musical Score
A PDF of the selected work showing both the solo line and piano accompaniment, including all cadenza passages. Any cuts must be clearly marked.
Biographical Sketch
A two-paragraph biography of no more than 250 words, written in third person, for possible use on the HHSO website and in the competition program.
Photo
A recent high-resolution JPG photo of the finalist with their instrument for promotional and program use.
Participation Authorization
Finalists and a parent or guardian will be asked to sign a form authorizing participation in the competition and the use of submitted materials for publicity and administrative purposes.
Failure to submit required finalist materials by the deadline may result in disqualification.
2027 Prizes
First Prize
$1,500 Cash Prize
$700 Scholarship to the Philadelphia International Music Festival
Solo performance with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra
Second Prize
$800 Cash Prize
$600 Scholarship to the Philadelphia International Music Festival
Third Prize
$500 Cash Prize
$500 Scholarship to the Philadelphia International Music Festival
All Other Finalists
$200 Cash Prize
$300 Scholarship to the Philadelphia International Music Festival
All finalists will also receive a $100 scholarship to the Hilton Head Chamber Music Festival in June 2027.
Additional local performance opportunities may also be available to select finalists.
All prizes are awarded at the discretion of the judges.
2027 At A Glance
- Registration Opens: August 31, 2026
- Application Deadline: October 30, 2026, before midnight Eastern Time
- Finalists Announced: By December 1, 2026
- Finalist Materials Due: December 15, 2026 at 5 PM
- Competition Finals: January 23, 2027 at 1 PM
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Location:
St. Luke’s Anglican Church 50 Pope Avenue Hilton Head Island, SC
The HHSO currently plans to livestream the finals on its YouTube channel.
Questions?
For questions about eligibility, repertoire, audition requirements or the competition process, contact:
Steven Shaiman
Director of Education and Community Engagement
Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra
[email protected]