Experience the Spotlight at the Philadelphia International Concerto Competition!
Mark your calendar for April 11, 2026, when the Philadelphia International Concerto Competition opens the doors to a once-in-a-lifetime performance opportunity. Take the stage at Philadelphia’s iconic Academy of Music, a historic and breathtaking venue, and share your talent with an enthusiastic audience.
Winners of the competition will perform some of the most celebrated masterpieces of classical music, showcasing their artistry in a professional orchestral setting. Pianists, violinists, wind instrument players, and vocalists—all are invited to participate and shine.
The Sinfonietta Triumph Orchestra will accompany the winners, bringing exceptional musical expertise to the stage. Our musicians have performed internationally as soloists and ensemble members with renowned groups such as the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and Symphony in C, and include special guest artists from the Philadelphia Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, D.C.).
Don’t miss your chance to perform with world-class musicians in one of the most prestigious venues in the United States. This is more than a competition—it’s your moment to be heard, celebrated, and to leave a lasting mark on the historic stage of the Academy of Music, where the Philadelphia Orchestra was born. As the Orchestra celebrates its 125th anniversary, this legendary stage becomes a place where the legacy of the past meets the vibrancy of the present and the promise of the future in an unforgettable musical celebration.
Awards
The first and second-place winners will perform with the orchestra on the festival day of September 28th at the Academy of Music Ballroom.
Divisions:
Virtuoso Instrumental (no age limit to apply)
Piano Virtuoso (no age limit to apply)
A winner of The Grand Prize Virtuoso will receive a $500 scholarship that partly covers the orchestra’s accompanying fee as well as three invitation tickets, two videos (rehearsal and performance), three pictures, and awards (a diploma, a medal, and a trophy).
Application process
Application deadline: February 20, 2026
Applicants must submit a video recording of one movement of a concerto to tmusfest@gmail.com
Include your name, age, contact information, the piece title and exact duration.
Prior to submitting their video recording, the participants’ repertoire choice must get approval from the competition committee. Some concertos, for example, by S. Rachmaninoff or S. Prokofiev, will not be accepted this year.
A complete movement of a concerto must be performed by memory.
The application fee of $150 must be submitted via the festival's official website.
The application fee is non-refundable.
The participants will be notified about the audition results by March 10, 2026.
Performance with an Orchestra
Important preparations must be made in advance of the actual performance in order to play with the orchestra:
1. The winners will be scheduled to have a meeting with the conductor 2-3 days before the performance. It is a very important rehearsal where tempos and dynamics will be discussed between the soloist and the conductor.
2. The rehearsal with the orchestra will be scheduled 1-2 days before the performance. During the rehearsal, the entire movement will be played through twice, with the orchestra accompanying.
3. The sound check rehearsal will be scheduled on the day of the performance.
A live performance with an orchestra will take place on the festival day, April 11, 2026.
The cost of a performance program starts at $1500 (6 min. minimum: a movement of a concerto from a classical period: Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven).
For pieces exceeding the 6-minute minimum, $150 will be applied for every additional minute.
Video: A festival will provide a video of both a rehearsal and a performance without an additional charge.
A performance fee also includes the awards (diploma, trophy, and medal), 3 digital photos, and 3 tickets for family and friends.
A performance fee can be refunded only in case of an emergency (providing medical proof documentation).
If the performer already had a rehearsal with the orchestra but canceled the performance, the concert fee will be refunded only partially (50% only).
