WHO MAY COMPETE

• The competition is open to pre-college students in unconducted ensembles of three (3) to eight (8) players.
• Contestants must be residents of Minnesota or studying or coaching with someone in Minnesota.
• Ensembles must be coached.
• Ensemble members must not be older than age 18 on March 24, 2013. An exception will be made for full-time students whose grade level is no higher than grade 12, and whose 19th birthday occurs before March 24, 2013. There is no minimum age.
• Any combination of the following instruments will be accepted:
  
  • Strings: violin, viola, cello, string bass, classical guitar, harp
  • Brass: trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium, tuba
  • Winds: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon
  • Saxophone
  • Percussion ensemble (setup time three (3) minutes)
  • Piano (no more than one)
• There will be three levels. Ensembles can self-select the level at which they wish to participate.
  
  • Level A: Competition Level
  • Level B: Apprentice Level (for less-experienced chamber music players)
  • Level C: YouTube judging only, for contestant groups who are not interested in competing but would like feedback on their performance.
• Level A ensembles that win first prize may not compete again, but individual members may participate in later competitions in different ensembles, with no more than one of the original members per new ensemble.
• Level A ensembles that place second or third may enter the competition again.
• The Level B ensemble that is chosen to play in the Winners Recital may not compete again in Level B but may enter again in Level A.
• Level B ensembles that were not chosen to play in the Winners Recital may enter again in Levels B or A.

ENTRY DEADLINES

Application materials and competition fees must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. Thursday, February 14, 2013. Late entries will not be accepted. We recommend using FedEx or UPS guaranteed deliveries so that you can track your package and know it has been received.

Video submissions must be uploaded to YouTube and link sent to ycmc@spcomail.org. by 5:00 P.M. Thursday, February 14, 2013.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

• Level A (Competition) ensembles should prepare 12-15 minutes of playing time and include two (2) single movements or pieces of contrasting style and period. Ensembles whose repertoire is primarily from the 20th century must clearly represent more than one style.
• Level B (Apprentice) ensembles should prepare one (1) complete movement.
• Level C (YouTube comments only) ensembles should prepare one (1) complete movement.
• Selections should represent the standard classical repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th
• Century periods as well as contemporary music. Transcriptions will be allowed.
• A score for each work or an authorized facsimile must be presented to the judging panel at the competitionʼs live rounds. An authorized facsimile may include photocopied scores that are accompanied by either a written statement from the publisher granting permission for the photocopy, or a signed release form relieving the SPCO Youth Chamber Music Competition from any liability for copyright infringement. Ensembles performing literature for which there is no published score must still submit an accurately transcribed score.*

• Jazz, pop, or rock music will not be allowed.
• Please contact us well in advance if you are unsure of your repertoire choices. Repertoire questions should be directed to acconklin@comcast.net

ROUNDS

The YouTube Round

• Each Level A ensemble should submit video recordings of two (2) contrasting pieces or movements with a total of approximately 15 minutes of playing time. Each piece or movement should be recorded separately.
• Each Level B or Level C ensemble should submit a video recording of one (1) complete movement.
• The video recording must show all ensemble members at all times.
• The picture must remain stationary (no panning, fade-in/fade-out or close-up techniques).
• The ensemble should fill the screen as much as possible.
• Each movement must be a complete take with no editing.
• After recording their video, ensembles should upload it to YouTube, and title it using the composer's last name, the composition name, movement (if applicable), and the ensembleʼs name. (Example: Beethoven, Quartet op.18, 3rd movement, Quantum Quartet.).
• After your video is publicly accessible on YouTube, send its link by email to ycmc@spcomail.org. The competition plans to feature many of the contestantsʼ videos on its YouTube channel. Be sure to visit http://www.spco-ycmc.org to watch for yours!
• Contestant ensembles may begin sending their uploaded videos anytime after January 1, 2013, but not after February 14, 2013.

The Semifinal Round (“Sweet Sixteen”)

• A maximum of sixteen (16) Level A ensembles and four (4) Level B ensembles will be chosen to play in a live Semifinal round.
• The Semifinal round will take place on Saturday, March 23, in Antonello Hall at the MacPhail Center for Music.
• The Semifinal judges will choose a maximum of six (6) Level A groups and one Level B group to play in the Finals/Winners Recital.
• Names of winners will be posted on-site following the auditions. They will also be posted on the competition website. The contact person for each Semifinal ensemble will be notified by telephone of the judgesʼ decisions.

The Finals/Winners Recital

• The Finals/Winners Recital will take place on Sunday, March 24, at 1:00 in The Music Room of the SPCO Center.
• Each group will have an on-stage rehearsal time of 15 minutes preceding the Winners Recital.
• Concert attire should be worn for this event.
• Judges for the Finals will be members of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

PRIZES AND AWARDS (“Final Four”)

• The first-place Level A ensemble will receive a $1,000 cash award and individual Whitacre medals, named for the late Patricia Hill Whitacre, a longtime Friend of the SPCO.
• At the discretion of the judges, the first-place Level A ensemble also may be awarded a performance in conjunction with a future SPCO concert.
• The second-place Level A ensemble will receive a $600 cash award.
• The third-place Level A ensemble will receive a $400 cash award.
• The winning Level B ensemble will receive a $100 cash award.
• The prize money will be divided among the ensemble members.
• The families and coaches of ensembles that play in the Semifinal round but do not advance to the Finals, and of ensembles that advance to the Finals but do not win a cash award, will receive four vouchers per household to a Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concert.

LOCATIONS

The Semifinal round on Saturday, March 23, will be held in Antonello Hall, the MacPhail Center for Music, 501 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. This round is not open to the public, but families, teachers, and coaches are welcome.

The Finals/Winners Recital on Sunday, March 24, at 1:00 will be held in The Music Room of the SPCO Center on the third floor of the Historic Hamm Building, 408 Saint Peter Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. A reception and awards ceremony will follow the concert. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations will be taken.

ENTRY FEES

• Level A – $30 per player
• Level B – $15 per player

Discounted fees will be available to students whose coaches are paid members of MNSOTA.

• Level A – $20 per player
• Level B – $10 per player

There will be no entry fee for Level C (YouTube comments only).

The nonrefundable entry fee, paid by money order or certified check, should be made payable to Friends of the SPCO/Competition and included with the application form.

Financial assistance is available. Please contact aconklin@comcast.net for details.

TIME LINE

• January 1, 2013 – Earliest date that application video uploads and links may be submitted.
• February 14, 2013 – Absolute deadline for receiving video uploads, application materials and fees, and ensemble bio and photo
• First week in March 2013 – Contact person for Level A and Level B ensembles will be notified of the YouTube screening committeeʼs decision. The coaches of all YouTube entrants will receive judgesʼ comments shortly thereafter.
• Saturday, March 23 – Live Semifinal round
• Evening of Saturday, March 23 – Contact person for each Semifinal ensemble will be notified by telephone of the judgesʼ decisions. Names of finalists will be posted on the competition website.
• Sunday, March 24 – Morning rehearsals. Finals/Winners Recital at 1:00 p.m.
• Month following competition – Semifinal and Finals judgesʼ comments will be mailed to coaches, and checks for members of each winning ensemble will be mailed to its contact person.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• The contact person for each ensemble will receive an e-mail acknowledgement when its competition entry has been received.
• Each ensemble must have a designated adult chaperone at the competition events. This may be their coach.
• Information regarding a host hotel, parking, nearby restaurants, and tourist sites will be made available on the competition website: spco-ycmc.org

CHECKLIST:

Between January 1, 2013, and February 14, 2013:

❑ Video(s) uploaded to YouTube and link e-mailed to ycmc@spcomail.org.
❑ Ensemble bio and photo sent by e-mail to acconklin@comcast.net

Materials received in the SPCO office by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, February 14, 2013:

❑ Application Form
❑ Combination Repertoire and Coach & Contact Form
❑ Money order or certified check made payable to Friends of the SPCO/Competition

Application materials and check should be mailed to:

SPCO Youth Chamber Music Competition
SPCO Center | Third Floor
The Historic Hamm Building
408 Saint Peter Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102