Concerto Competition

Each year ULSO holds a concerto competition, open to its current and recent members. Winners are invited to perform a concerto with the Orchestra in a future project.

2025/26 Season

The competition is held over two rounds:

Round One is via video audition and the submission deadline is 15th December 2025. Applicants are expected to play the first movement of a concerto lasting no longer than 10 minutes. Successful candidates will progress to Round Two.

Round Two is to be held in February 2026. It is held in person and the Music Director will be present. Candidates should present selected passages from ALL movements of their concerto, totalling no more than 25 minutes. The panel may also ask to hear specific passages, so be prepared to play any part of your concerto.

For Round Two:

  • You must provide the panel with a copy of the piano or orchestral score of the piece you are performing
  • It is strongly recommended that you perform with accompaniment. Unfortunately, ULSO is unable to provide an accompanist.
  • If you are successful in the Competition, the concerto you perform with ULSO will be chosen in consultation with the Music Director, but is not limited to the work played during the Competition.

To apply for the 2025/26 Concerto Competition please complete the application form via the link below. Applications must be received by 15th December 2025.

The winner(s) of the 2023/24 competition are:

Emilia Agajew - former ULSO harpist

Previous winners of the competition include: