Scruffy City Orchestra hosts a juried concerto competition open to High School musicians in grades 9-12 or adult post-high school musicians up to age 25 from East Tennessee. Both solo vocalists and orchestral instrumentalists (except piano) are encouraged to participate for a chance to perform their piece with the Scruffy City Orchestra in concert during their fall Cathedral Concert Series performance at The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 Northshore Drive, Knoxville. Winner(s) will receive a certificate and the opportunity to solo with Scruffy City Orchestra in their annual fall concert.

The competition will take place in the spring before the fall concert. The cost for entry is $50 payable on PayPal by the appropriate deadline and must be accompanied by the provided entry form specifying the repertoire and instrument.

The repertoire performed must be from a standard concerto free of copyright restrictions and totaling no more than 12 minutes. Music may be a single movement from a concerto or multiple movements or sections for an instrumental or vocal soloist. Piano accompaniment is required during competition. Orchestral parts for the winning entrant must be readily available to Scruffy City Orchestra, preferably through free IMSLP download. Cost limit on purchase or rental by Scruffy City Orchestra is limited to $100. If the winner chooses a piece that requires a higher rental fee or has other fees associated with it, then it is the winner’s personal responsibility to pay that cost.

As is possible, winner(s) should be available for two rehearsals plus the dress rehearsal with orchestra at 7 p.m. on the three Thursday evenings prior to the Friday Fall concert in Cathedral Hall at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Winner(s) must be available to play in concert with the orchestra.

Scruffy City Orchestra reserves the right to decide there will be no winner in any given category.

Details will be made available as competitions are scheduled each year.