2026 Gateway City Orchestra Concerto Competition
The Gateway City Orchestra is excited to announce our inaugural concerto competition in honor of our 5th anniversary season! This competition is open to any musicians who would like to participate. There will be 2 separate competition categories with 1 winner from each category.
Competition 1 - 18 and Under
● This competition category is designated for student-musicians ages 18 and under.
● Participants must perform a single movement from a concerto, no longer than 10 minutes.
Competition 2 - Open Competition
● This competition category is for any musician. Students, amateurs, and professionals ages 18+ are all welcome.
● Participants must perform at least a single movement from a concerto, but may perform multiple movements if they desire.
● The entire performance must be no longer than 20 minutes.
General Rules
All participants must submit a registration form available on the GCO website. Participants under 18 must also have a parent/guardian complete a parental consent form, also on the website.
A pre-screening video audition must be submitted along with the registration form by Friday, 1/2/2026 at 11:59pm. At the start of the video participants must state their name, date of birth, as well as the title, movements, and composer of the work to be performed.
Pre-screening videos must be shared on the form via dropbox, google drive, or youtube link.
Pre-screening auditions may be performed with or without accompaniment.
Selected finalists will be invited for a live audition on Saturday, February 28th at Fitchburg State University. Finalists will receive additional information when they are informed of their selection.
Finalists must provide their own accompanist or an accompaniment track for the live auditions. A piano will be provided by the GCO.
It is recommended that participants select a work in the public domain.
If a participant selects a work not in the public domain and wins, it is the responsibility of that participant to provide sheet music for the orchestra.
Competition Winners
● Each competition winner will perform at the GCO’s spring concert in May.
● Each winner will meet with either the music director or assistant conductor to go over the piece and address any concerns ahead of rehearsal. This meeting may be virtual if an in-person meeting is not possible.
● Each winner will attend the GCO dress rehearsal to rehearse the work with the orchestra.
● Each winner will provide the GCO with a photograph and bio for the GCO to post on social media and include in the spring program.
● Each winner will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the GCO spring concert and will be able to purchase additional tickets before the general public.