High School Competition for Strings

in memory of Gustave E. Johansen, Jr.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: November 4, 2023 at 11:59pm
Video Submission Deadline (via email): November 11, 2023 at 11:59pm

Competition Details

Our 2023 competition will be virtual, both due to the success of last year’s virtual competition. We are asking all participants to submit a video to serve as their entry to be judged. Participants must apply by November 4, 2023 at 11:59pm and then email their video to Jeongseon Choi, Strings Competition Chair, at highschoolstrings@fmmc.org. Please see below for all video requirements.

Winners will be announced no later than November 18, 2023.

Fees

A $35 non-refundable application fee is required by the deadline. Apply online using a credit card.

Eligibility

Students currently enrolled in Grades 9 – 12 who play violin, viola, cello, or bass within a 50-mile radius of the DC metropolitan area.

Awards

First Prize: $1,500
Second Prize: $1,000
Third Prize: $700

The winners have opportunities to perform in the FMMC Student Recitals throughout the season at various venues and receive a membership for the full 2023-24 Season.

Repertoire

Choose three works, each from a different period:

A fast movement from a standard concerto.
One work in a challenging, contemporary idiom (see suggested examples), employing such characteristic devices as atonality, polyrhythms, non-traditional notation, etc. No works drawn from film scores. The degree of the stylistic/aesthetic challenge of the work will be a factor in the judging. The work need not be memorized; though doing so will obviously increase the contestant’s score.
A composition in a style that contrasts with the other two works.

Requirements

All selections, except sonatas with piano, must be performed from memory. An exception may be made for a new piece in a contemporary idiom.
Only one sonata with piano may be included on your program.
Contestants must provide their own accompanist. Any music with accompaniment must be performed with an accompanist.
Repertoire must be approved by the Competition Committee prior to submitting application. Please email highschoolstrings@fmmc.org to confirm your repertoire selection.

Video Requirements

Your video must be submitted via email as a link, uploaded to YouTube (unlisted). Please send it to Jeongseon Choi, Strings Competition Chair, at highschoolstrings@fmmc.org. It must be received by November 11, 2023 at 11:59pm.
The video should be one full recording of all three works without breaks in-between. Introduce yourself at the beginning, and before playing each piece, please state the title of the work and the composer. Do this for the start of each piece.
You can record these videos at home using your own setup or at a recording studio.

Contact

Jeongseon Choi, Strings Competition Chair
301-461-2176
highschoolstrings@fmmc.org

2023 Winners

First Prize: Enzo Baldanza, violin
Second Prize: Ryan Li, violin
Third Prize: Caleb Fan, cello
Honorable Mention: Joshua Thrush, bass