Wheaton College Conservatory Handbook

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Awards and Competitions

Concerto Competition
The Conservatory Concerto Divisional Competitions (string, wind and brass, keyboard, voice) are held during the fall semester at the beginning of B quad. Please note posted deadline for application due date. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted to the Conservatory office with the appropriate signatures.

The jury for each Divisional Competition will consist of outside jurors and, in some areas, the conductor of the Symphony Orchestra.
Four divisional winners will appear with the Symphony Orchestra at the Concerto Competion Honors Concert in January. Divisional winners are designate recipients of the Virginia Grossman Prize. It is the prerogative of the jury not to choose a winner from a division if they feel there are no entries qualified.
At the Concerto Competition Honors Concert, all Conservatory Faculty vote to select a Grand Prize Winner, who will in turn perform with the Symphony Orchestra at the Festival of Faith Concert in May. This individual is the designated recipient of the Ben Heppner Prize.
Eligibility

Instrumental Division

i. at least sophomores

ii. contributing members of a large instrumental ensemble

iii. competing on their large ensemble instrument

Voice Division

i. at least juniors

ii. contributing members of a large choral ensemble

Keyboard Division

i. at least sophomores

ii. or have been contributing members of a large ensemble

Final entrance into the Concerto Competition is subject to the approval of principal private lesson teachers

Time limits will be strictly adhered to, and the length of the work, including any cuts, must be determined prior to submission of the application. PLEASE NOTE: Winners must perform the same cuts for Concerto Competition Honors Concert. The time limits for each area vary from year-to-year, but are normally from 10 to 15 minutes in length. Check with the appropriate faculty chairs for details.
For instrumental divisions, standard repertoire with orchestra involving ensembles is permissible.

Chamber Music Competition
A Chamber Music competition is normally held each year. Please note posted deadline for application due dates. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted to the Conservatory office with the appropriate signatures.

Each competing chamber ensemble must prepare a minimum of 10 minutes of music. Repertoire for the competition must be approved by the Chamber Music Coordinator.
The ensemble members must be available to perform the competition piece(s) on the Festival of Faith concert. In some circumstances the selection to be performed may be modified to fit programming needs.
Non-conducted ensembles whose members are registered for brass, woodwind, or string chamber music (MUIP 371) during the academic year of the competition.
An individual may compete in more than one ensemble. Previous year winners must skip a year before competing in the same configuration. If the ensemble changes by adding or subtracting members (i.e. a quartet becomes a quintet) they are eligible.
The jury will consist of two outside jurors plus one Conservatory faculty member who is not involved with coaching chamber music. The jury may elect to stop an ensemble after the ten minute requirement has been satisfied. It is the prerogative of the jury not to choose a winner if they feel no entrants are qualified.

Alumni Composition Prize
Student composers are invited to compete for the Alumni Composition Prize. Contact Prof. Howard Whitaker for details.

Other Awards
Music majors are eligible for numerous other awards in three large categories: 1) Awards Based on Financial Need are administered by the Financial Aid Office, subject to federal standards established by the Financial Aid Form (FAF) submitted by parents; 2) Merit Based Awards for Incoming Freshmen and Transfers; 3) Merit Based Awards for Continuing Students.