Competition Status: 2026/27 Applications Open

VAMWP1 Debut Spotlight Solo Competition

Class Description: VAM presents its 7th annual VAM WonderPhilharmonic Level 1 (formerly Friendly Philharmonic) Debut Spotlight Solo Competition providing an opportunity for one soloist to perform a movement of a concerto or solo piece with the VAM WonderPhilharmonic Level 1 orchestra in the 2026/27 VAM Orchestra Festival *. VAM will ensure that the competition is impartially and professionally conducted with a two-person adjudication panel consisting of experienced musicians. * 2026/27 VAM Orchestra Festival will be performed at the Orpheum. Eligibility Eligible students: -are currently members in good standing of VAM WonderPhilharmonic Level 1; -are not winners of the 2025/26 VAMFP Solo Competition. Dates Application Deadline: October 19, 2026, 11:59pm Competition: November 16, 2026 *Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline. Competition Rules 1. Students must perform on the instrument they currently play in WonderPhilharmonic Level 1. 2. Repertoire selections must not exceed 8 minutes in duration. Repertoire must be performed with accompaniment. For the competition, tutti passages must be shortened as necessary. 3. The selection must be approved by the Orchestra Manager and meet the length, orchestration and proficiency requirements. Repertoire approval will be confirmed within 3 business days of the application deadline. 4. If the selected repertoire requires performance licensing or copyright clearance, the student is responsible for any associated costs if chosen as a winner and invited to perform. 5. Students must provide 2 copies of the solo part or piano reduction for the adjudication committee (photocopies are permitted). 6. Performers must perform from memory. 7. Performers must perform with and provide their own pianist. 8. The competition phase is closed to the public with the exception of the parent/guardian and teacher of the student performing; no video or audio recording permitted. 9. All applications must include a non-refundable $65 application fee. 10. The winner will be awarded the Orpheum Prize and will perform at the Orpheum in the 2026/27 VAM Orchestra Festival. The winner must perform the same repertoire selection that they competed with. 11. By applying to the competition, the student and parent/guardian agree that any resulting recordings from winner's performances with VAM WonderPhilharmonic Level 1 may be used for VAM's promotional purposes. Apply [gravityform id="167" title="false" description="false"]

VAMWP2 Concerto Competition

Class Description: VAM presents its 11th annual VAM WonderPhilharmonic Level 2 (formerly Junior Symphony) Concerto Competition providing an opportunity for one soloist to perform a movement of a concerto with the VAM WonderPhilharmonic Level 2 orchestra in the 2026/27 VAM Orchestra Festival*. VAM will ensure that the competition is impartially and professionally conducted with a two-person adjudication panel consisting of experienced musicians. *2026/27 VAM Orchestra Festival will be performed @ Orpheum. Eligibility Eligible students: -are currently members in good standing of VAM WonderPhilharmonic Level 2; -are not winners of the VAMJS 2025/26 Concerto Competition. Dates Application Deadline: October 19, 2026, 11:59pm Competition: November 16, 2026* * Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline. Competition Rules 1. Students must perform on the instrument they currently play in VAM WonderPhilharmonic Level 2. 2. The selection must be either a movement of a concerto or a solo piece performed with accompaniment. The selection must be approved by the Orchestra Manager and meet length, orchestration and proficiency requirements. Repertoire approval will be confirmed within 3 business days of the application deadline. 3. If the selected repertoire requires performance licensing or copyright clearance, the student is responsible for any associated costs if chosen as a winner and invited to perform. 4. Students must provide 2 copies of the solo part or piano reduction for the adjudication committee (photocopies are permitted). 5. Performers must perform from memory. 6. Performers must perform with and provide their own pianist. 7. The competition phase is closed to the public with the exception of the parent/guardian and teacher of the student performing; no video or audio recording permitted. 8. Repertoire selections must not exceed 8 minutes in duration. For the competition, tutti passages must be shortened. 9. All applications must include a non-refundable $65 application fee. 10. The winner will be awarded the Orpheum Prize and will perform at the Orpheum in the 2026/27 VAM Orchestra Festival. The winner must perform the same repertoire selection that they competed with. 11. By applying to the competition, the student and parent/guardian agree that any resulting recordings from the winner’s performances with VAM WonderPhilharmonic Level 2 may be used for VAM’s promotional purposes. Apply [gravityform id="166" title="false" description="false"]

VAMIS Concerto Competition

Class Description: VAM presents its 11th annual VAM Intermediate Symphony Concerto Competition providing an opportunity for one soloist to perform a movement of a concerto with the VAM Intermediate Symphony in the 2026/27 VAM Orchestra Festival*. VAM will ensure that the competition is impartially and professionally conducted with a two-person adjudication panel consisting of experienced musicians. * 2026/27 VAM Orchestra Festival will be performed @ Orpheum. Eligibility Eligible students: -are currently members in good standing of VAM Intermediate Symphony; -are not winners of the VAMIS 2025/26 Concerto Competition. Dates Application Deadline: October 19, 2026, 11:59pm Competition: November 16, 2026 *Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline. Competition Rules 1. Students must perform on the instrument they currently play in VAMIS. 2. The selection must be approved by the Orchestra Manager and meet length, orchestration and proficiency requirements. Repertoire approval will be confirmed within 3 business days of the application deadline. 3. If the selected repertoire requires performance licensing or copyright clearance, the student is responsible for any associated costs if chosen as a winner and invited to perform. 4. Students must provide 2 copies of the solo part or piano reduction for the adjudication committee (photocopies are permitted). 5. Performers must perform from memory. 6. Performers must perform with and provide their own pianist. 7. The competition phase is closed to the public with the exception of the parent/guardian and teacher of the student performing; no video or audio recording permitted. 8. Repertoire selections must not exceed 8 minutes in duration. For the competition, tutti passages must be shortened. 9. All applications must include a non-refundable $65 application fee. 10. The winner will be awarded the Orpheum Prize and will perform at the Orpheum in the 2026/27 VAM Orchestra Festival. The winner must perform the same repertoire selection that they competed with. 11. By applying to the competition, the student and parent/guardian agree that any resulting recordings from the winner's performance with VAM Intermediate Symphony may be used for VAM's promotional purposes. Apply [gravityform id="165" title="false" description="false"]

Amati and Stradivari Players Concerto Competition

Class Description: VAM presents its second annual VAM Amati and Stradivari Players Concerto Competition providing an opportunity for two soloists of each ensemble to perform a movement of a concerto with the Amati or Stradivari Players. VAM will ensure that the competition is impartially and professionally conducted with a two-person adjudication panel consisting of experienced musicians. Eligibility Eligible students: -are currently members in good standing of VAM Amati or Stradivari Players; -are not winners of the 2025/26 Amati and Stradivari Players Competition in the same ensemble category for which they are applying. Winners may apply for a different ensemble category, provided they meet the eligibility requirements; Dates Application Deadline: October 26, 2026, 11:59pm Competition: November 23, 2026 Students will receive notice of their specific time slot following the application deadline. Performance date: May 29, 2027, 7pm | Koerner Recital Hall Repertoire -The selection must be one movement of the repertoire listed in the link below: Amati & Stradivari Players Concerto Competition - Repertoire List -Repertoire selections must not exceed 15 minutes in duration. -Selections must meet all length, orchestration, and proficiency requirements. -Works that include supplementary orchestration (winds, brass, percussion) are permitted; if selected as a winner, the repertoire will be adapted for string ensemble configuration. -Repertoire approval will be confirmed within three (3) business days of the application deadline. -If the selected repertoire requires performance licensing or copyright clearance, the student is responsible for any associated costs if chosen as a winner and invited to perform. Competition Rules 1. Students must perform on the instrument they currently play in Amati or Stradivari Players. 2. Students must provide 2 copies of the solo part or piano reduction for the adjudication committee (photocopies are permitted). 3. Performers must perform from memory. 4. Performers must perform with and provide their own pianist. 5. The competition phase is closed to the public with the exception of the parent/guardian and teacher of the student performing; no video or audio recording permitted. 6. All applications must include a non-refundable $65 application fee. 7. For each ensemble (Amati Players and Stradivari Players), one winner will be chosen from the upper strings (violin) and one from the lower strings (viola, cello, and double bass). The winners will perform their concertos with their respective ensembles at the spring concert. 8. If a winner is unable to perform on their assigned performance date or withdraws from the ensemble following the competition, their solo performance opportunity will be forfeited and they will not be permitted to re-enter the following year. 9. If the selected repertoire requires performance licensing or copyright clearance, the student is responsible for any associated costs if chosen as a winner and invited to perform. 10. The winner must perform the same repertoire selection that they competed with. 11. By applying to the competition, the student and parent/guardian agree that any resulting recordings from the winner's performance with VAM Amati and Stradivari Players may be used for VAM's promotional purposes. Apply [gravityform id="251" title="true" description="true"]