2026 Strings, Winds, & Brass Concerto Competition
In partnership with MTAC Santa Monica Bay and the Westside Music Conservatory.
Please email Dr. Deborah H. How, Chair, at info@westsidemusicfoundation.org with any questions.
Passacaglia Chamber Orchestra
- Brian Stone, conductor
Application & Auditions
Application Form
also available at QR code or below
- Application Deadline: February 5, 2026 (THU)
- Video Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026 (SUN) via YouTube Link
- Winners Concert: March 21, 2025 (SAT) with the Passacaglia Chamber Orchestra
- Audition Format: Video Submission
- Entry Fee: $100
- Entry Fee for Westside Los Angeles students: $75
- Live/attend school OR study with a teacher with a physical studio (home/commercial) in Westside Los Angeles (https://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/region/westside/index.html)
- OR study with a teacher who is a member of MTAC Santa Monica Bay or MTAC West Los Angeles
- Entry Fee for Westside Los Angeles students: $75
- Winner’s Participation Fee: $300
- Winner’s Participation Fee for Westside Los Angeles students: $250
(4–6 Winners will be selected to perform with Chamber Orchestra)
- Winner’s Participation Fee for Westside Los Angeles students: $250
- Financial Aid: Available for students in the National School Lunch Program or alumni who are current students studying music at a college/conservatory.
- Students in the National School Lunch Program with a current official eligibility letter from the school district/USDA may apply for financial aid from the WMF Li-yung Shang How Memorial Scholarship Fund. Please email Dr. How at info@westsidemusicfoundation.org with any questions.
- Application Deadline: February 5, 2026 (THU)
- Video Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026 (SUN) via YouTube Link
- Video must include performance with collaborative pianist or orchestra.
- Video does not need to be professionally recorded, but video must have clean audio and show the applicants hands, face, and entire instrument.
- Poor audio/visual recording quality may affect judging results.
- Video may be from recital/concert performance.
- Video must be of the same concerto movement listed on the Application Form.
- Video should be from June 1, 2025–present.
- YouTube Link must be set to UNLISTED and NOT MADE FOR CHILDREN so that the video can be embedded in a virtual portal for the adjudicators
- Results will be emailed to all applicants by 11:59pm on February 20, 2026 (FRI)
Eligibility
- Student Division
- Grades 9–12, through Age 19
- Students must be in school Grades 9–12; college students who meet the age requirement are NOT eligible.
- Younger students may participate with approval of the Competition Chair if playing level and standards are met. Teacher must have approval before student submits application. Please email Dr. How at info@westsidemusicfoundation.org with any questions.
- Grades 9–12, through Age 19
Concerto Accepted Repertoire
Applicants must select ONE movement from the following concerti. Applicants may have the opportunity to perform 1, 2, or 3 movements depending on the total time of their programmed Concerto/Divertimento and if the concert run time permits.)
Other concerti NOT listed for the instruments below may be eligible if concerti are available as arrangements for string orchestra and/or chamber orchestra. Please email Dr. How at info@westsidemusicfoundation.org with any questions.
Concerto for orchestral/band instruments NOT listed below may be eligible if concerti are available as arrangements for string orchestra and/or chamber orchestra. Please email Dr. How at info@westsidemusicfoundation.org with any questions.
Eligible Concerto Repertoire
List will be available by October 15, 2025.
STAY TUNED!
- Violin/Viola
- Cello
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Trumpet
- French Horn
Winners Concert with Orchestra
- March 21, 2026 (SAT) • 7:00pm
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Santa Monica
958 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Winners Rehearsals with Orchestra
- Winners will have 2–3 rehearsals with the Passacaglia Chamber Rehearsals on the following possible dates. (Rehearsal schedule will be announced after winners are selected.)
- TENTATIVE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
- March 16, 2026 (MON) • 7:00pm–10:00pm
- March 17, 2026 (TUE) • 7:00pm–10:00pm
- March 18, 2026 (WED) • 7:00pm–10:00pm
- March 19, 2026 (THU) • 7:00pm–10:00pm
- March 20, 2026 (FRI) • 7:00pm–10:00pm
- All Rehearsals above (March 16–20, 2026) will be held at:
- Westside Music Conservatory
12424 Wilshire Blvd Ste 100
Los Angeles (Brentwood), CA 90025
- Westside Music Conservatory
- March 21, 2026 (SAT) • 2:00pm–5:00pm
DRESS REHEARSAL & SOUND CHECK at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
- TENTATIVE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE