High School Concerto Competition

The Waco Community Band presents the Second Annual High School Concerto Competition.

The HSCC is for high school musicians, under 19 years of age, seeking the opportunity to compete with their peers and perform with a live band. Please see contest rules for eligibility and information on repertoire selection.

Grand Prize

$250 Cash Prize

Performance with Waco Community Band

$4,000 McLennan Band Scholarship

General Details

  • Concert Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 7:30 PM at the Ball Performing Arts Center (Directions here).

  • Conductor: Jon Conrad, Artistic Director

  • Application and Recording Deadline: March 1, 2024. The top three (3) recordings will be selected as finalists to participate in the live audition.

  • Finalist Live Auditions: Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 6:00-7:00 PM. Specific time slots will be designated once finalists are notified of their selection.

  • Required Rehearsals:

    • Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 7:00 PM at BPAC

    • Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 7:00 PM at BPAC

    • Sunday, June 9, 2024, 3:00 PM at BPAC

Requirements for Auditioning

  • Age: 19 or under at time of audition.

  • Must be enrolled in a high school or home school.

  • Experience: Limited/no experience that is relevant to being a professional soloist, such as paid performances in a concert setting or teaching advanced students (i.e. college level or equivalent).

Rules and Regulations

All performers must audition with an accompanist (one will not be provided). The performer is responsible for any and all necessary travel or accommodation fees.

Repertoire Requirements: Applicants must submit video recording of

  • One single movement from a concerto (ten minute max time limit) or other orchestrated solo work.

  • Selections must be performed with band, orchestra or piano accompaniment.

  • Performance by memory is preferred but not required.

  • Double concertos are acceptable.

  • Piano soloists do need to provide accompaniment.

Repertoire Selection

Standard repertoire is encourage. Music rental availability and costs should be considered when selecting your piece(s). Band instrumentation should also be considered - standard is full string, 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 3 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 4 saxophones, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, euphonium, tuba, timpani and percussion.

Please contact contest coordinator if you have questions band@mclennan.edu.

Finalists Live Audition

The performance literature should be no longer than 10 minutes total. If the piece is longer than 10 minutes, you may cut an opening tutti section of your piece to fit in the time limit; but, note that no cuts are allowed for the concert performance.

Video Guidelines

  • Video links will be uploaded on the application page (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)

  • Video’s title should include contest’s name and instrument. Example: FirstName LastName Soprano

  • Recordings should be a fair representation of the Contestant’s abilities, but not be of a professional quality.

  • Only unedited video can be accepted for the audition (parts of video connected together or video clips are not acceptable).

  • The selection of the three (3) finalists in each category will be based solely upon the video recordings.