Robert Turner Piano Concerto Competition

In partnership with MTAC Santa Monica Bay and the We stside Music Conservatory.
Please email Dr. Deborah H. How, Chair, at info@westsidemusicfoundation.org with any questions.

Who is Robert Turner?

Passacaglia Chamber Orchestr a

Arlette Cárdenes, conductor

2026 Application & Auditions

Application Form
also available at QR code or below

Application Deadline: January 5, 2026 (MON)
Video Submission Deadline: January 15, 2026 (THU) via YouTube Link
Winners Concert: February 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 all Robert Turner Piano Concerto Competition Alumni: $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 all Robert Turner Piano Concerto Competition Alumni: $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 or alumni who are current music students studying music at a college/conservatory 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: January 5, 2026 (MON)
Video Submission Deadline: January 15, 2026 (THU) 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 and all keys, side of face, pedal.
  - 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 January 20, 2026 (TUE)

Eligibility

Student Division
- Grades 6–12, through Age 19
  - Students must be in school Grades 6–12; 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.
Alumni Division
- Previous winners from past Robert Turner Piano Concerto Competitions (2002–present)
  - ANY AGE

Keyboard/Piano Concerto Accepted Repertoire

Applicants must select ONE movement from the following concerti. (Bach & Haydn 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.)

Baroque

J.S. Bach
- Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052
- Keyboard Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1053
- Keyboard Concerto No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1054
- Keyboard Concerto No. 4 in A Major, BWV 1055
- Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056
- Keyboard Concerto No. 6 in F Major, BWV 1057
- Keyboard Concerto No. 7 in G Minor, BWV 1058

Classical

Haydn (string orchestra/chamber orchestra arrangements)
- Divertimento in C Major, Hob. XIV:3
- Divertimento in C Major, Hob. XIV:4
- Piano Concerto in F Major, Hob. XVIII:F1
- Piano Concerto No. 3 in F Major, Hob. XVIII:3
- Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Hob. XVIII:4
- Piano Concerto No. 11 in D Major, Hob. XVIII:11
- If you would like to perform a Haydn Divertimento/Concerto NOT listed above, please email Dr. How at info@westsidemusicfoundation.org for approval before you submit an application.
Mozart (string orchestra/chamber orchestra arrangements)
- Piano Concerto No. 9 “Jenamy” in E-flat Major, K. 271
- Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K. 453
- Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466
- Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467
- Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat Major, K. 482
- Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488
- Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491
- Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503
- Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat Major, K. 595
- If you would like to perform a Mozart Concerto NOT listed above, please email Dr. How at info@westsidemusicfoundation.org for approval before you submit an application.
Beethoven (string orchestra/chamber orchestra arrangements)
- Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19
- Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37
- Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58
- Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” in E-flat Major, Op. 73

Romantic/Late Romantic

Mendelssohn (string orchestra/chamber orchestra arrangements)
- Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 40
Chopin (string orchestra/chamber orchestra arrangements)
- Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21
Schumann (string orchestra/chamber orchestra arrangement)
- Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54
Saint-Saëns (string orchestra/chamber orchestra arrangements)
- Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 17
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22
Grieg (string orchestra/chamber orchestra arrangement)
- Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16

Rachmaninoff (string orchestra/chamber orchestra arrangements)
- Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 1
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18

Winners Concert with Orchestra

February 21, 2026 (SAT)
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
  - February 16, 2026 (MON) • 7:00pm–10:00pm
  - February 17, 2026 (TUE) • 7:00pm–10:00pm
  - February 18, 2026 (WED) • NO REHEARSAL
  - February 19, 2026 (THU) • 7:00pm–10:00pm
  - February 20, 2026 (FRI) • 7:00pm–10:00pm
  - All Rehearsals above (February 16–20, 2026) will be held at:
    - Westside Music Conservatory
      12424 Wilshire Blvd Ste 100
      Los Angeles (Brentwood), CA 90025
  - February 21, 2026 (SAT) • 2:00pm DRESS REHEARSAL & SOUND CHECK at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Passacaglia Chamber Orchestra