Concerto Competition
The University Concerto Competition is an annual competition for full-time Willamette students to have the opportunity to perform their prepared concerto alongside a live instrumental ensemble.
Hudson Concert Hall in the Rogers Music Center
Application deadline: October 21, 2025
General Information
- The competition will be held on Saturday, Nov 1, 2025, 12:00 - 4:00 pm in Hudson Concert Hall. The winner will perform with the university's Pacific Rim Symphony Orchestra (PRSO) on Saturday, April 19, 2026 at 3:00 pm
- The competition is open to all full-time Willamette University students. Full-time status must be maintained for both Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters.
- All instrumental and vocal students are encouraged to apply.
- There is a limited amount of time for the competition. Therefore, a maximum only 20 competitors will be placed in the competition.
- Competition time slots are 10 minutes, including setup. No exceptions.
- The list of contestants will be determined by the date and time that your fully completed application is submitted online – first-received, first-accepted. The Ensemble Assistant(s) will organize the application intake process.
- Applications submitted after the available slots have been filled will be placed on a waiting list in the order received.
- If a participant is deemed ineligible or chooses not to compete, their place will be taken by the next student on the waiting list.
Repertoire Requirements
- Solo repertoire must be suitable for performance by a standard chamber or string orchestra. Orchestral parts for solo selections must be readily available.
- Publisher information is required for any works that are not in the public domain.
- Appropriate cuts in orchestral “tutti”s should be made to maximize solo performance time during the competition time slot. The winner(s) will perform their competition piece “uncut” in the orchestral performance.
- Memorization is not required, however strongly encouraged.
Accompanist
- All competitors must be accompanied by a pianist.
- Please contact your accompanist and provide them with a PDF of your music prior to applying.
Jury Decisions
The competition will be judged by a panel of external music professionals. The jury will select a soloist and will have the right to withhold the selection of a winner if no contestant is deemed ready for a public performance. Jury decisions are final.
Performance
The contest winner will perform one movement of chosen work. Shorter single-movement works or works requiring two or more soloists are acceptable. Soloists must be available to rehearse with the conductor, and attend regularly scheduled orchestra rehearsals as needed.
One submission per person
First come, first-served. Responses are time-stamped
Final application deadline: October 21, 2025
Questions?
Contact the Director of Instrumental Musicatqqqian@willamette.edu with any questions.
Past Winners
- Karina May '26 (voice), performed with the orchestra in the Spring of 2025.
2nd place: Elliott Lewenstein '28 (cello)
3rd place: Hanna Rowe '27 (flute)A huge thank you to our wonderful Dr. Crystal Zimmerman and Arsen Gulua for their dedicated accompaniment and unwavering support of all students!
2024-25 Judges:
Dr. Seth Wollam: Assistant Professor, Instrumental Music Education at Western Oregon University
Dr. Adam Farmer: Bassoonist, Educator, Performer at Orpheus PDX
Bryce Tomlin: Director of Music at Chemeketa Community College 
Trinity Goff '24, pianist and Music and German double-major, winner of the 2023-2024 Willamette University Concerto Competition. Trinity performed Beethoven's 3rd Piano Concerto - 1st movement in the Spring Concert with the University Chamber Orchestra on April 28, 2024.Zach Martin (Flute), and Kelson Gipp (French Horn) both earned 2nd place in the Concerto Competition. Zach is a Mathematics and Physics major, and Kelson studies Data Sciences. Both of them performed in a concert with the University Concert Band and the Chamber Orchestra in Spring 2024.
Maya Lauer (Voice) won an honorable mention in the Concerto Competition.
Judges Daniel Rouslin, Eben Fernando Heldreth, and Jocelyn Thomas wish to extend their heartiest congratulations to all competitors. The judges were extensively impressed with the high level of preparation and musicianship.
The Music Department extends a special thanks to all musicians who participated in this year's competition, and to Luca Casano, for overall assistance.
Athena Van Dyke was the winner of Willamette University’s 2022-23 Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition. Athena was a voice student majoring in English with a creative writing concentration. She performed with the University Chamber Orchestra at their spring concert on April 27, 2023.
2022-23 judges included:
Professor Lydia Van Dreel
Horn Professor, University of OregonDr. Daniel Rouslin
Professor Emeritus at Willamette UniversityProfessor Claire Hudkins
Voice Professor, Western Oregon UniversityCongratulations to Connor Cordes '22, cellist and Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics major.
As the winner of Willamette University’s 2021-2022 Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition. Connor performed the 1st movement of Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto in E-minor with the University Chamber Orchestra, during their performance on March 3, 2022.
Honorable Mention was awarded toKegan Rascoe '23, trumpet player and Music and Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics double-major. Kegan performed the 1st movement of Oskar Bohme's Concerto in F-minor with the University Chamber Orchestra in the Fall 2022.
2021-22 judges included:
Captain Adam Kendall Hilkert (U.S. Army)
Executive Officer at U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band, Former Executive Officer at U.S. Army School of Music, Director of Concert BandDr. Daniel Rouslin
Professor Emeritus at Willamette UniversityDr. Ike Nail
Director of Instrumental Studies at Western Oregon University, Director of Salem Pops Orchestra