High School Baroque Residency Competition

Our 2025 Competition Winners: Owen Beal, Eric Mao, Dhruv Murarka, and Luis Vargas. Photo courtesy of Simon Capell.

​We are pleased to announce our fourth annual competition for High School students! 

Students have the opportunity to audition to be considered for a residency with our string performers, culminating in a side-by-side performance of Beethoven's Symphony No 1 in C major   on our February 2027 program. Students will be given a baroque instrument and bow, will have at least 3 lessons with our string players, one masterclass together, and will participate in our rehearsals with the full orchestra leading up to our concert. 

Deadline for submission: 
 All entries must be received by midnight Sunday, December 13th, 2026.

Rules:
Must be 18 or younger by August 1, 2027.

This competition is open to all high school string players. Up to two violinists, one violist, and one cellist will be selected.

Please send in a video without edits of a maximum length of 5 minutes, that shows your best  musicianship. Both hands and arms must be visible for the entire recording. We would like to hear 1  slow movement and 1 fast movement, either from the same piece or different musical works that were  written before 1750. Repertoire examples may include a Handel Sonata, a Vivaldi Concerto, or a Bach  Partita. You may stop the recording after the first movement and restart for the second movement, but  there should be no other pauses in recording. If you reach the time limit, then simply stop at a  satisfactory cadence. Accompaniment is not required, but it is allowed. Please submit the file type .mp4  or .mov only. Performance with a modern instrument and at modern pitch is anticipated. Performance at historical pitch is not required for the audition.

There is no geographic restriction to where students live, though students selected must be able to attend all scheduled lessons in the Raleigh area, orchestra rehearsals, and the concert. ​

Click HERE to submit your audition

$20.00

Pay Audition Fee

​rehearsal dates:
February 18th, 6:30 - 8 pm
February 19th, 6:30 - 8 pm  
February 20th, 2-4 pm
February 21st, 2pm sound check; 4 pm concert
​
Concert location:
To be announced. 

Fee:
$20 per entry.