Local Competitions & Events
Local Competitions & Events
Recommended Local Competitions & Festivals
As an active member of San Diego’s music community, we champion local events and encourage our students to take part in as many nearby competitions and festivals as they can. Beginning close to home—in familiar venues and alongside friends—young musicians step beyond their comfort zones in a supportive setting. Step by step, they gain confidence, performance experience, and resilience. When they’re ready, we guide them to larger stages and bigger challenges.
Encinitas Youth Piano Concerto Competition (K–12)
Competition Dates and Deadlines
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Online Preliminary Submission CLOSED: March 26, 2025
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Finalists Announced: April 3, 2025
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In-Person Finalists Auditions: May 3, 2025
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Winners Announced: May 6, 2025
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Required Rehearsals: June 3, 10, 12, 2025 (afternoon/evening rehearsals)
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Concert with the North Coast Symphony Orchestra: June 14, 2025
Concerto Performance Sections For Preliminary Video Submission- CLOSED
Musicians must perform the following sections for their selected concerto in the video. Note that incomplete submission may result in disqualification.
Haydn Keyboard Concerto No. 11 in D, Movement 1: Vivace
(Henle Urtext Edition accepted.)
1) Measures 49-103
2) Measures 127-175
3) Entire cadenza starting at measure 241
Kabalevsky Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Major, Op. 50: Movement 1: Allegro Molto
(Schirmer, Peters, or Henle Urtext editions accepted.)
1) Beginning through rehearsal no. 8 chord ( to a minor section)
2) Rehearsal no. 19 through rehearsal no. 23 (g minor triplet section, ending in F major chord)
3) Entire cadenza
Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No.1 in G Minor, Op.25: Movement 1: Molto Allegro Con Fuoco
(Peters or Schirmer editions accepted.)
1) Rehearsal section A to downbeat of Rehearsal section B
2) Rehearsal section C (continue through)
3) Rehearsal section D to downbeat of Rehearsal section E.
The South Coast Symphony’s Young STARS of the Future
All applicants must either reside in Orange County or take lessons in Orange County.
is the premiere performance competition and concert in Orange County. The South Coast Symphony is a nonprofit organization dedicated to performing a wide variety of orchestra literature from the Classics to Broadway with eclectic programming designed to entice, enlighten, delight and educate, while attracting a whole new generation of patrons.
The Rewards
First Prize Winners will receive $1000 and a performance with the South Coast Symphony.
The Young STARS of the Future Concert will take place on
Saturday Evening, March 21, 2026
at Soka University's Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo.
The Two Rounds
ROUND ONE: YouTube Auditions
With your application you need to submit a link or links to your audition materials on YouTube of the highest quality possible. Please include your list of repertoire, and in which order.
Date: Submissions must be mailed by Friday, October 17, 2025
ROUND TWO: Live Audition
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Location: Trinity United Prebyterian Church in Santa Ana - Munzing Hall
Auditions are held in the morning and early afternoon. Each applicant who is accepted for Round Two will be contacted via e-mail to set-up an audition time. Auditions last 15 minutes. Contestants must be prepared to perform all of the repertoire submitted. The Jury may request to hear entire selections or just specific sections of your repertoire. You must provide your own accompanist. Warm-up rooms will be provided.