2026 RPI Concerto Competition Announcement

The Rensselaer Concerto Competition is open to any enrolled student musician at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from any tradition of music-making.  In addition to all acoustic instruments and voice, various forms of electronic, computer-based or otherwise digital modes of music-making will be considered.  

The competition will take place in two phases:

Phase 1: Video Submission

Auditioning students will be asked to submit a video of themselves performing the concerto they would like to perform with the Rensselaer Orchestra in their video audition.  This recording should be a solo performance without an accompanist.  Students will be asked to submit their video via an unlisted YouTube link on the application Google Form by Friday, December 12th.  Students are encouraged to explore the recording options available to them at the DCC or RMA, though recording with an iPhone or similar is perfectly acceptable.

Phase 2: Final Round

Approximately 3-5 finalists will be asked to perform in the final round audition on Wednesday, February 4th at the Chapel and Cultural Center on the Rensselaer Campus.  The finalists will perform their solo work for a jury.  Students are responsible for coordinating and rehearsing with a collaborative pianist prior to the final round audition.

Outcomes:

The winner(s) of the competition will be announced via email later in the day following the final round of the Concerto Competition and will be invited to perform the work with which they auditioned on a program with the Rensselaer Orchestra in the next academic year.  If a winner is a senior, they will be invited back to perform the piece with the Orchestra in the next academic year.  

Notes:

It is highly recommended that students select a concerto movement or a full concerto whose duration is 10 minutes or shorter.  

How to Apply:

Applications for the Concerto Competition are open.  The application will close on Monday, December 12th at 11:59pm.  Finalists will be announced by Friday, December 19th.  Please apply here.

Final Round Auditions will be held on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 from 10am-12pm in the Chapel and Cultural Center on RPI campus. 

If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to Dr. Whalen at whaler2@rpi.edu.