National Young Virtuosi Recital Competition

 

Registration and YouTube Link Submission Deadline: May 11, 2025


Winner Concert Date: June 1, 2025, at the Leshowitz Hall at Montclair State University


GENERAL GUIDELINES


This competition is held every two years and is open to students who can prepare a high-quality recital repertoire (see repertoire guidelines and requirements). There is no minimum age, but participants must be 18 years old or younger at the time of the competition. The competition is open to Brass, Woodwind, Strings, and Piano students.


The competition will have two categories:


• Junior: Up to 14 years old

• Senior: 15 – 18 years old


A minimum of ten winners will be chosen to perform in the Winners Recital, playing one piece selected by the judges from the competition repertoire. All winners who advance will receive certificates.


Following the concert, the panel of judges will select the top three winners, each of whom will receive monetary awards, along with an Audience Award determined by audience voting. All winners must perform at the Winners Concert to receive their awards; otherwise, they will forfeit their status, and an alternate winner will take their place. Winners must perform the piece selected by the judges.


The judges’ decisions are final. Previous monetary award winners of the Virtuosi Competition are ineligible to enter.


Students must submit the online application form and a YouTube link by the deadline. If the link is not received by the deadline, the entry will not be considered, and the application fee will not be refunded. Please scroll down for the recording guidelines. Send the YouTube link via NLPA’s email address at nlpa.virtuosirecital@gmail.com


REPERTOIRE GUIDELINES:


STRINGS, BRASS, WOODWIND


  • Perform two pieces from two different musical periods, with a maximum total time of 20 minutes. Accepted periods include: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic and Contemporary.

  • Do not repeat unless it preserves the integrity of the piece.

  • Variations must be performed in their entirety.

  • One movement from a concerto and/or sonata is acceptable, and the cadenza of a concerto must be included.

  • Memorization is mandatory for all pieces.

  • Piano accompaniment is required, except when it is not part of the composition. Concertos must be performed with a piano reduction of the orchestral parts. Please minimize interludes in the piano accompaniment.

  • Performers must provide their own accompanist for both the audition and the concert, if selected.



PIANO


  • Perform two pieces from two different musical periods, with a maximum total time of 20 minutes. Accepted periods include: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic and Contemporary.

  • Do not repeat unless it preserves the integrity of the piece.

  • Variations must be performed in their entirety. Both the Prelude and Fugue from Bach’s WTC must be played to qualify as one piece. A collection of pieces from the same suite is allowed.

  • One movement from a sonata is acceptable.

  • Published transcriptions for other instruments or ensembles (e.g., Bach/Busoni’s Chaconne) are acceptable, provided they are original works by the composers.

  • No arrangements or simplified editions will be accepted.

  • Memorization is required for all repertoire.

  • Concerto repertoire is not allowed.

 




YOUTUBE RECORDING AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:



  • The video must be one continuous recording session, with all pieces performed in one take. We will not accept multiple individual links or videos compiled together.

  • No editing is allowed. Any editing, including the combination of individual links or videos, will result in disqualification and ineligibility for performance.

  • A short pause between pieces is acceptable, but the recording must not be stopped.

  • The video must be a single-angle shot that shows the performer’s entire body. For pianists, the entire piano keyboard and foot pedals must be visible. No multi-angle shots or amplification are allowed, and the camera must remain still throughout the performance.

  • Record the video horizontally within three (3) months of the YouTube submission deadline, and submit only one YouTube link.

  • Audition videos must be of good quality. Position the camera from the audience’s perspective to ensure consistency among submissions. Limit background noise, and ensure the performance space is well lit. No speaking is allowed in the video. 

  • Proper concert attire is required.

  • Do not include the student’s name, the names of the pieces, or any description anywhere in the link. The title of the link must be labeled with the initials and year of the event, followed by the applicant’s initials and age (e.g., for a John Doe, age 14, the title should be NYVRC2025JD14).

  • Partial recordings or pieces performed without a required accompanist will be disqualified.

  • It is recommended to set the YouTube link to “Unlisted.”

  • The YouTube link must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on the deadline date. Entries submitted after this time will not be considered, and the application fee will not be refunded.

  • Send the YouTube link to NLPA’s email address: nlpa.virtuosirecital@gmail.com, and include the student’s name in the subject line of the email.