APPLICATION NOW OPEN FOR STRING, PIANO AND HARP MUSICIANS.
Please read the following information before completing the application:
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, is pleased to announce its Concerto Competition for High School Musicians is open for applications. (All materials due Nov. 15, 2021). The winner will appear as a guest soloist with the Marine Chamber Orchestra and receive a $2,500 scholarship from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. Second and third-place winners will receive $1,000 and $500 scholarships respectively.
Eligibility:
This competition is open to high school musicians (grades 9-12) enrolled during the 2021-2022 academic year. String, piano and harp players are eligible for this year's competition. (Woodwind, brass and percussion players will be able to apply in the 2022-2023 competition.)
NOTE: The next opportunity for string, piano and harp players to apply will be in the 2023-2024 competition.
Previous competition winners and immediate family members of current/former U.S. Marine Band members are not eligible. All applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Application Materials:
The application has three components that must be received/time-stamped no later than Monday, Nov. 15, 2021.
1. Performance Recording:
- Applicants must select ONE work from the repertoire list and submit an unedited recording of their performance accompanied by piano, band or orchestra.
- Recordings must be submitted in the form of a YouTube video. The application form cannot be completed without a link to the video.
- When posting to YouTube, applicants may also designate the video as "unlisted," meaning it is viewable only by people who have the direct link. If desired, the applicant can choose not to be visible in the video.
2. Online Application Form: Fill out and submit all required information on the online application form.
3. Letter of Recommendation: A teacher familiar with your musicianship must provide a letter of recommendation. This letter must be submitted by your teacher directly, via email, to Major Ryan Nowlin at marineband.submissions@gmail.com.
Final Round:
Based on the application materials, finalists will be selected and invited to Washington, D.C., to compete in a final round performance that is open to the public. All finalists will be notified by Jan. 1, 2022. The finals will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C., and will be streamed live at www.youtube.com/usmarineband. Finalists will perform the same selection submitted with their application materials for an audience and panel of judges consisting of the Marine Band Director, Marine Band Assistant Directors and a guest adjudicator.
The Marine Band will provide a piano accompanist for applicants who advance to the final round, but finalists may bring their own accompanist if desired.
Finalists will have the opportunity to be coached by a member of "The President's Own" during their rehearsal time.
The competition winner will be invited to perform his or her solo selection in concert with the Marine Chamber Orchestra in the Washington, D.C. area, at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 3, 2022, and will receive a $2,500 scholarship from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. Second and third-place winners will receive $1,000 and $500 scholarships respectively.
For all rounds of the competition, memorization of the music is not required.
Travel:
Applicants selected for the final round of the competition in Washington, D.C. are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses.
Travel and lodging will be provided for the competition winner and one guardian for the solo performance with the Marine Chamber Orchestra on April 3, 2022.
Important Dates:
- Monday, Nov. 15, 2021: All application materials are due.
- Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022: Finalists are notified on or before this date.
- Friday, Feb. 18, 2022: Selected finalists rehearse with accompanist and have a coaching session with a member of "The President's Own."
- Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022: The final round performance is held at 2:00 p.m. in John Philip Sousa Band Hall at Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C. and live streamed at www.youtube.com/usmarineband. The competition winner is announced and scholarships are presented.
- Sunday, April 3, 2022: The competition winner returns to Washington, D.C., to perform his or her solo selection at a Marine Chamber Orchestra concert. The winner will have ample rehearsal time with the ensemble as well as a sound check in the performance space. Travel and lodging for this performance will be provided for the winner and one guardian.
For any additional questions, please contact Major Ryan Nowlin at (202) 433-4002 or ryan.nowlin@usmc.mil.
REPERTOIRE LIST
APPLY HERE