About the 2027 Concerto Competition
“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 now open. All application materials are due by Nov. 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Late submissions will not be accepted. The winner will appear as a guest soloist with the Marine Band during the 2027 Spring concert season 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 2026-2027 academic year. Woodwind, brass and percussion are eligible to apply. (String, piano and harp players will be eligible in the 2028 competition.)
NOTE: After applications close for the 2027 competition, the next opportunity for woodwind, brass and percussion players to apply will be for the 2029 competition (applications due Nov. 2028).
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 or permanent U.S. residents.
Application
The application has two components:
1. Performance Recording:
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Applicants must select ONE work from the repertoire list and submit an unedited recording of their performance accompanied by piano, band or orchestra.
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Recordings must be submitted in the form of a YouTube video. The application form cannot be completed without a link to the video.
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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.
About 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, 2027. The finals will be held February 20, 2027, at Marine Barracks Washington in D.C. 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 the Washington, D.C. area with the Marine Band or Marine Chamber Orchestra during the 2027 Spring Concert Season. The winner 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.
Important Dates
Nov. 15, 2026: All application materials are due.
Jan. 1, 2027: Finalists are notified on or before this date.
Feb. 19, 2027: Selected finalists rehearse with accompanist and have a coaching session with a member of "The President's Own."
Feb. 20, 2027: The final round performance is held at 2:00 p.m. at Marine Barracks Washington in D.C. The competition winner is announced and scholarships are presented.
Spring 2027: The competition winner returns to Washington, D.C., to perform his or her solo selection in concert with the Marine Band. 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.
Travel INformation
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 Band.
2026 Winners
First place: Olivia Shidler | Harp - Short Hills, NJ
Second place: Elizabeth (Poppy) Song | Violin - Haworth, NJ
Third place: Alexander Fiszer | Cello - Hopewell, NJ
2026 Finalists
Elizabeth (Poppy) Song | Violin - Haworth, NJ
Sunjoo Lucas Park | Viola - Old Tappan, NJ
Alexander Fiszer | Cello - Hopewell, NJ
Olivia Shidler | Harp - Short Hills, NJ
Crystal Pang | Piano - Glen Head, NY
Past Winners
2026
Olivia Shidler, Short Hills, NJ (harp)
2025
Daniel Yeum, McLean, VA (oboe)
2024
Caden Lin, Los Angeles, CA (piano)
2023
Kyle Cho, Potomac, MD (oboe)
2022 (Inaugural Strings/Piano/Harp Competition)
Henry Auxenfans, Chicago, IL (violin)
2020
Aaron Lipsky, Arden, NC (clarinet)
2019
Peyton Sills, Clinton, MS (euphonium)
2018
Robyn Black, Vernon Hills, IL (tuba)
2017
Shawn Zheng, Murfreesboro, TN (horn)
2016
Mei Stone, Waco, TX (flute)
2015
Chad Lilley, Olney, MD (saxophone)
2014
Isaac Johnson, Pine Island, MN (trombone)
2013
Co-Winners:
Spencer Sosnowski, Heath, TX (alto saxophone)
and
Rebecca Oliverio, Beltsville, MD (trumpet)
2012
Anthony Trionfo, Interlochen, MI (flute)
2011
Zachary Sherburn, Little Elm, TX (marimba)
2010
Catherine Chen, Greenwich, CT (bassoon)
2009
Jennifer Zhou, Columbus, OH (flute)
2008 (Inaugural Competition)
Co-winners:
Timothy Gocklin, Manchester, NH (oboe)
and
Ibanda Ruhumbika, Athens, GA (tuba)