Southern Violin Association
association of violin makers in the Western Hemisphere

Youth Concerto Competition Guidelines2025

Southern Violin Association Youth Concerto Competition

SVA & Agnes Scott College

Highlights

  • Two age groups:
    • Junior: Ages 14–16
    • Senior: Ages 17–18
  • Screening: Competitors will be screened by video submission.
  • Finals: 10 Finalists in each age group will be invited to in-person finals on March 21 at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta.

Prizes

  • Senior Division (First Prize):
    • Handmade violin made by a group of SVA makers
    • $2,000 scholarship to the 2025 Philadelphia International Music Festival (pimf.org)
    • Invitation for soloist opportunity with Agnes Scott Community Orchestra in 2026
  • Junior Division (First Prize):
    • Handmade violin bow made by a group of SVA makers
    • $600 scholarship to the 2025 Philadelphia International Music Festival (pimf.org) (if accepted to PIMF solist program)
  • All finalists will receive a finalist award and a finalists package from sponsors.
  • All video submissions will be reviewed by the Philadelphia International Music Festival for additional scholarship offers.

Key Dates

  • Registration Opens: Mid-January 2025
  • Registration and Video Submission Deadline: February 17, 2025
  • Finalist Invitations Sent: February 28, 2025
  • In-Person Finals: at Agnes Scott College, March 21, 2025

Application and Video Submission

  • Finalists will be selected by the judges by reviewing a video performance by the competitor.
  • Competitors will register online at: Click here to Register
  • After registration, the competitor will create an audition video and post it to YouTube.
  • The video should be less than 6 months old at the time of submission.
  • Piano accompaniment is optional for the video.
  • Submit the YouTube audition video online at: Click here to Submit Youtube Video
  • Upon submitting the YouTube link, the participant will be routed to make a PayPal non-refundable application fee of $103.
  • The application will be complete when the video is submitted, and the fee is paid.
  • If a competitor has a video ready to go from another competition, it can be used as long as it is no older than 6 months and the repertoire selection is approved by the judges.

Repertoire

  • Junior Division:
    • 1st movement of Mozart Concerto 3, 4, or 5
    • Bach Concerto in A minor or E minor
  • Senior Division:
    • 1st movement of Mendelssohn Concerto
    • Lalo Symphonie Espagnole
    • A concerto by Saint-Saëns, Vieuxtemps, or Wieniawski
  • Other pieces of similar difficulty may be used with approval from the judges at: Click here to send email.

Judges

  • Dr. Qiao Solomon: Professor of Music, Agnes Scott College; Conductor, Agnes Scott College Community Orchestra
  • Dr. Sinisa Ciric: General Manager and Concertmaster Emeritus, Savannah Philharmonic

Finals

  • Finals will be held on March 21, 2025, at Agnes Scott College, Presser Hall.
  • 10 Finalists will be selected in each Division.
  • If a selected finalist cannot attend in person, the judges may select another competitor to replace them, or leave the spot open, as they choose.
  • The Junior Division competes in the morning, and the Senior Division competes in the afternoon.
  • Prizes will be awarded during an evening ceremony on the 21st.
  • Finalists are responsible for their own travel and lodging in Atlanta.
  • A piano will be available for accompaniment, but finalists must provide their own accompanist. Piano accompaniment is optional.
  • No additional fees are required for finalists.

Other Important Points

  • The competitor’s age is determined as of the day of the finals.
  • Competitors must be at least 14 years old.
  • Competitors aged 14–16 may choose to compete in the Senior Division.
  • While competitors from the Southeastern US are encouraged, the competition is open to all regions.
  • Questions can be addressed to the judges at: Click here to send email.