CYAC Rules and Registration

Age

Applicants must be age 25 or younger on the day of registration submission.

Residency

Applicants must be reside in the state of California at the time of application submission (legal permanent residency is not required).

* CYAS Alumni are not restricted to California residency, and may apply regardless of where they reside.

Repertoire

Concerto Selection

Any concerto for your instrument may be selected for the competition. Major works not in concerto form may be considered as a substitution but must be approved by our artist board. Works must have parts available in the public domain or by rental for performance in case the contestant is selected for a soloist engagement with CYAS. If you are unsure if your repertoire qualifies, we recommend reaching out to our office for confirmation before submitting an application.

Memorization

* Concerto work must be performed by memory in all rounds.
* Other works may be performed by memory at the discretion of the candidate.
* It is to the advantage of the candidate to perform works from memory.

Compulsory Works: Cello

1. Any single movement from
   a solo Bach Suite.
2. A single-movement virtuosic work.
   

Compulsory Works: Brass

1. One movement of a non-concerto Baroque,
Classical, or Romantic period work.
(may be a single movement work)
2. One movement of a work
composed after 1930.
(may be a single-movement work)

* Brass concertos must be performed on:
French Horn (any)
Trumpet (any key)
Trombone (Tenor or Alto)
Clarinet (Bb or A)
Tuba

** Brass compulsory works may be performed on alternate instruments (cornet, bass trumpet, euphonium)

*** At least one brass compulsory work must be composed for unaccompanied instrument.

Preliminary Round (Recording, Blind Round)

1. The applicant’s choice of the entire first or last movement of your concerto
(with cadenza if applicable).

2. The required compulsory works
for your instrument.

Preliminary Recording Guidelines:

* Each work may be submitted as a separate video
or as part of one continuous video.

* Each video must be recorded after
September 1st prior to the date of the competition
application deadline.

* Accompanied works must be performed
with accompaniment.

* It is not required that the video be created
exclusively for the competition.

* No editing is permitted
(no audio or video splicing, or alteration of speed).

* Each work must be recorded in a single take,
with a single camera angle, without pauses or cuts.
Cuts in the accompaniment tutti portions are encouraged.
Applicants may submit separate videos for each work.

* Professional-level audio recording and mixing
is highly recommended (but not required).
Please avoid audio level compression
(default for most smartphone recordings) if possible.

* The performer’s face, instrument, and hands
must be visible in the recording.

* Videos must be submitted
through YouTube with privacy set to “Unlisted.” 

Semi-Final Round (Live Concerto Audition)
8 to 10 Semi-Finalists

Semi-finalists will be given a 25-minute slot to perform for the competition jury in audition format before a panel only:

1. The entire first or last movement
of your concerto (with cadenza if applicable).

2. An excerpt of between 3 to 4 minutes in length
from EACH of the remaining movements.

* Item 1 must be the same
as selected in the Preliminary Round.
* Item 2: Excerpts can be pre-selected by the candidate.
* Cuts in the piano accompanied tutti parts are encouraged.

Final Round (Live Recital)
4 to 5 Finalists

Finalists will perform in a live recital, partially of their own programming, for the competition jury as well as an audience and live broadcast. The program shall include:

1. Item 1 from the Semi-Final round.

2. At least one compulsory work from the candidate’s preliminary round submission.

3. A selection of additional work(s) of the candidate’s choice to fill the remaining program length. These selections may include other movements from the concerto, single movements of other works, or single-movement works. These may be accompanied or unaccompanied.

* Cello: Recital must be 30 to 35 minutes in length.
* Brass: Recital must be 25 to 30 minutes in length.
* Accompanied works must be performed with accompaniment.
* Solo parts of any work may not be cut in the final round.
* Tutti accompaniment parts may be cut in the concerto. 

Sample Compulsory Repertoire

Coming Soon…

Semi-Final Round Schedule
(6 to 10 Semi-Finalists)

Cello Division: 9 AM to 1 PM
Cello Division Results: 4 PM
Brass Division: 2:30 PM to 6 PM
Brass Division Results: 8 PM

Final Round
(3 to 5 Finalists)

Brass Division: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Cello Division: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Awards Ceremony 7 PM

Soloist Engagement – Concerto

Contestants who receive a guest soloist invitation agree to be available to perform their full concertos (all movements) with orchestra during the upcoming CYAS season. Specific dates will be available as soon as possible after the competition, but are usually released in June.

CYAS guest soloist receive one hour of rehearsal time with the symphony one week before concert weekend, 45-minutes the day before the concert, and 20 minutes during the dress rehearsal in the hall the day of the concert.

If for emergency reasons you are unable to perform, your artist fee will go towards your replacement artist. Other finalists may be offered the opportunity to perform if the first prize winner does not perform.

Cash Prizes

Cash prizes are distributed immediately at the awards ceremony, with the exception of first prize winners. 50% of the first prize will be paid immediately at the awards ceremony, and the remaining half as a performance fee upon performance of your concerto with CYAS in the upcoming season.

Soloist Engagement – Recording

Recording engagements are offered to finalists selected by the jury and are not restricted to first-prize winners.

Recording Sessions are scheduled throughout the season between the artists and partnering record labels.

The engagement includes the commercial recording and editing of an EP length album, including a filmed movement or single work, and distribution on all streaming platforms.

Accompanists

Contestants are responsible for their own accompanist arrangements for the competition. Contestants may bring their own accompanist, or hire a CYAS staff accompanist.

Staff accompanists will be available to rehearse the week of the semi-final round, and rehearsal space will be available the days of the semi-final and final.

Jury

The jury is selected from members of the CYAS artist board as well as distinguished performers and educators with a national platform.

Jury members are prohibited from having musicians immediately studying with them as contestants of the competition.

CYAS Members

CYAS Members and Alumni who apply for the competition will have their application fee waived.

Performance Criteria

Jury members consider the following criteria when judging applicants:

– Quality of performance
– Artistry and maturity of interpretation
– Audience effect and presentation
– Technical and artistic difficulty of repertoire
– Strength of resume and CV, professionalism

• A portion of the preliminary round will be judged “blind.”

Jury’s Decision

The decisions of the jury are final. The jury reserves the right to advance any or no contestant, and to award prizes to any or no contestant.

Travel Expenses

Contestants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and meal expenses. Recommended accommodation options will be available to those advancing to the semi-final.