Concerto Competition Overview

In an effort to promote orchestral music in the East Tennessee region, Scruffy City Orchestra hosts a regional juried concerto competition open to High School musicians in grades 9-12 (Youth Category) and adult post-high school musicians up to age 25 (Young Adult Category).

Applications are made by video submission. The competition will take place in the spring before the fall concert. Entry fee is $25.

Solo instrumentalists are encouraged to participate for a chance to perform their piece with the Scruffy City Orchestra in concert during their fall Cathedral Concert Series performance at The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 Northshore Drive, Knoxville. Winner(s) will receive a certificate and the opportunity to solo with Scruffy City Orchestra in their annual fall concert.

Participants from the greater East Tennessee region, including nearby states such as northern Georgia, southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia and western North Carolina. Basically, if you feel you are withing driving distance of Knoxville, Tennessee and can make it to two evening rehearsals and a concert, you are within the region!

Beginning in 2025, we began to alternate woodwinds, brass and percussion one year with strings (except piano) the next. Please check the current year’s Concerto Competition page for that year’s competitive instruments and appropriate deadlines and concert dates.

The repertoire performed must total no more than 12 minutes. Music may be a single movement from a concerto or multiple movements or sections. Piano accompaniment is required for your submitted video application, but for the concert, the winners’ pieces must have orchestral parts available free or for rental or purchase by the orchestra in advance.

Winner(s) MUST be available for the fall concert as well as at least one rehearsal plus the dress rehearsal with orchestra at 7 p.m. on two Thursday evenings prior to the concert.

Scruffy City Orchestra reserves the right to decide there will be no winner or multiple winners in any given category.

Details will be made available as competitions are scheduled each year. Please see the current year’s Concerto Competition page for specific details and application instructions.