Youth Soloist Competition Auditions
Awards
First Place: Solo performance with The New Jersey Wind Symphony Friday, May 12, 2023, in addition to a $1,000 scholarship award
Second Place: $500 scholarship award
Third Place: $250 scholarship award
Eligibility
The New Jersey Wind Symphony Youth Soloist Competition is open to full-time high school band students.
*Previous NJWS Youth Soloist winners are not eligible.
ENTRY PROCESS
Entering the NJWS YSC is a two-step process.
STEP 1:
Students must submit a typed letter with their name, instrument, address, telephone number, school, grade, e-mail address, band director name & email address, school phone and a $25 entrance fee. Check made payable to New Jersey Wind Symphony, postmarked by Thursday February 23, 2023.
Letter and check mailed to:
NJWS Youth Soloist Competition
c/o Michael Connor
North Bergen High School
North Bergen, NJ 07047
STEP 2:
In addition to the letter and entrance fee, students must submit a video recording of their performance of their piece. Post an unlisted YouTube video that can be accessed with the link. An accompanist is not necessary for preliminary audition videos.
Send YouTube link to both contacts below. by Feb. 23rd. YouTube videos will be reviewed after receipt of letter and entry fee.
COMPETITION PROCESS
The finalists will be chosen by March 3, 2023 and will be notified by email. Final auditions will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 5pm-7pm, at North Bergen H.S. Student-supplied accompanist at final auditions is required. The winners will receive their scholarships and the first-place winner will perform with the NJWS at the May 12, 2023, concert. Check the website njwindsymphony.org for updates.
THE NEW JERSEY WIND SYMPHONY
The New Jersey Wind Symphony is a volunteer concert band based in Ridgewood, New Jersey. This internationally recognized band consists of instrumentalists from all walks of life and includes retired members of professional orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic. Led by Music Director Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, the band performs a varied repertoire from pops to transcriptions and from traditional band literature to world premiers of new music. In addition, the group has had the privilege of performing with such soloists as Joseph Alessi, Philip Smith, and Chris Martin from the New York Philharmonic as well as Elaine Douvas from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates are to perform a piece of appropriate standard with band accompaniment e.g., a Region Band piece or a piece of similar difficulty. It is the student’s responsibility, with their private teacher or band director, to confirm there is a band accompaniment before submitting their application.
IMPORTANT DATES
2023
February 23, 2023 – letter, fee and recording deadline
March 3, 2023 – finalists chosen and notified
March 14, 2023 – live final auditions
May 12, 2023 – NJWS concert, top three scholarships awarded; first place winner performs with NJWS
CONTACT
Questions & YouTube links to:
Laurie Kunzle – kunzlemusic@gmail.com
Mike Connor – mikertc1977@gmail.com
NJWS COVID POLICIES
Up-to-date Covid policies and procedures are here on the NJWS web site. The NJWS will continue to monitor all federal, state, and local public health guidelines.