Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra to Host Competition for Young Artists

Is your teen an ambitious violin, cello or viola player?

Then, they'll want to compete in the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra's (BBSO) Young Artist Concerto Competiion, happening this March at Birmingham's Wilson Fine Violins.

The winner will have the chance to perform with the BBSO at one their 2013-14 concerts as well as receive a $750 grand prize.

According to the BBSO's Sandra Stalmack, the competition is open to local musicians in the 9th-12th grades. The musicians must play some kind of string instrument.

How do you enter? Contestants will need only to show up on competition days — 4-9 p.m. March 20-21 and 4-8 p.m. March 22 — and perform one concerto. The concerto should not exceed 10 minutes nor must it be memorized, though it must be written for solo instrument and orchestra.

Contestants must provide their own accompanist and three copies of the concerto for the judges. Tapes are not allowed. The competition is not open to previous BBSO winners or relatives of BBSO members. Those participating must be Michigan residents.

According to Stalmack, the winner will perform whatever concerto they use during their concert live with the BBSO.

There will be recognition for the runners-up, as well. The second place winner will receive $350 while a third-place winner will receive $100.

To compete, mail a completed application and a $50, non-refundable fee (check must be payable to the BBSO), along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Young Arts Competition Chair Millicent Berry
25435 Wareham Dr.
Huntington Woods, MI 48070
Mberry1850@aol.com.

Entries are due by Feb. 23. To download an application and find more information about the competition, visit www.bbso.org/outreach.

The BBSO performs next at 7 p.m. March 10 at the Birmingham Unitarian Church in Bloomfield Hills. The concert, which will be led by guest conductor John Thomas Dodson, will feature Amy Porter on flute.