Every year, SFCM hosts a large-scale concerto competition—an event that offers students the chance to display their technique, lyricism, and comprehensive musical understanding in front of a panel of judges. The winner of each instrumental and vocal category is awarded a solo performance with full orchestra in the next academic year. Because of the number of instruments represented at the Conservatory, some instrumental categories are biennial, while others take place every year.

An event exclusive to SFCM students, the concerto competition prepares participants for the professional concert and competition circuits, providing an opportunity to get a sense of the nature of the competitive music world. It is especially attractive to students wishing to develop solo careers.

Below are the categories and winners of SFCM’s 2017 Concerto Competition and the pieces they performed in front of judges (and will perform with full orchestra).

Guitar: Dariusz Lampkowski ’18
RODRIGO: Concierto de Aranjuez

Voice: Esther Tonea ’18
DONIZETTI: "Il dolce suono... Spargi d'amaro pianto" from Lucia di Lammermoor
Concert repertoire to be determined

Low Strings: Zhongkun Lu ’20 (viola)
HINDEMITH: Der Schwanendreher

Piano: Puripat Paesaroch ’17
SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, Op. 102

Violin: Kaiyuan Wu ’20
SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47