The O’Malley Foundation has taken over the sponsorship of Walgreens National Concerto Competition.

The 2024 competition will be called
2024 O’Malley Foundation National Concerto Competition

2024 competition registration is now closed!

2024 Competition Format

Entrants in the 2024 O’Malley Foundation National Concerto Competition may compete only in person. 

In person performances will be held December 28-30, 2024 at the Midwest Young Artists Center in Highwood, IL.

Divisions, Levels, and Categories

There are 2 divisions:

Midwest Young Artists Conservatory (MYAC) Orchestra Division*

Open Division

*Students in the MYAC Division must be active participants in the MYAC Orchestral Program. All other entrants will be entered in the Open Division, including MYAC Chamber Only, Jazz, and Choral students.

Each division has 2 levels:

JUNIOR LEVEL: for students in 8th grade or younger

SENIOR LEVEL: for students in 9th through 12th grades (students that are under the age of 18 and in college can enter the Senior division as well)

Each level of each division awards winners in five different categories:

String

Piano

Voice

Other Instruments

Early Music*

*Students are automatically entered in the Early Music category if the piece they are performing was written before 1800. Strings, harpsichord, recorders, gamba, winds, and brass are encouraged to participate in this category.

Schedules

Open Juniors Division will take place on December 29th and possibly also on December 28th depending on the number of musicians.

Open Senior Division will take place on December 29th through 30th.

MYAC Junior Division will take place on December 29th.

MYAC Senior Division will take place on December 29th through 30th.

Selection Requirements

• Music performed must be a movement from a concerto or a piece with orchestral accompaniment.

• You will have 10 minutes to perform. If your selection is longer than 10 minutes, you will be stopped by the judges after the 10 minute mark so appropriate cuts in the accompaniment, not solo, sections are encouraged.

• Entrants may submit more than one registration form. Each registration will count as one ten minute slot. Multiple slots may be used to perform more than one movement from the same piece, more than one piece, or on more than one instrument.

• To be eligible to win a prize, your piece must be memorized. Any piece not memorized will only be performed for judges' comments.

• Performances must be accompanied.

• You must provide two (2) clean, unmarked copies of your piece (without your name written on them) for the judges. You may use the accompaniment part as your clean, unmarked original copy.

Awards and Prizes

Open Division Winners

• The judges will select a winner in each category (Strings, Piano, Vocal, Other Instrument, Early Music)

• The judges will select one overall winner from the Senior Level

• The judges will select one overall winner from the Junior Level

• The judges will select one Open Division Overall winner from either the Junior Overall or Senior Overall winners

• The judges may select a limited number of honorable mention recipients from each category

MYAC Division Winners

• The judges will select a winner in each category (Strings, Piano, Vocal, Other Instrument, Early Music)

• The judges will select one overall winner from the Senior Level

• The judges will select one overall winner from the Junior Level

• The judges may select a limited number of honorable mention recipients from each category

Category Winner Prizes

• Category winners will receive a MYAC Tuition Scholarship (valued at $375) to be used toward 2025-2026 academic year large ensemble tuition or 2025 Summer Music Festival programs.

• Category winners may be chosen, at the discretion of the director, to perform at the Winners Recital at the MYAC Center on January 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

• Winning soloists may also be recommended for performance opportunities with other local professional and community orchestras. 

Overall Winner Prizes

• The Open Division Overall winner and MYAC Senior Orchestra Division winner of the 2024 competition will perform with MYAC Symphony Orchestra. MYAC Junior Division Winner will perform with MYAC Concert Orchestra. Both performances will be on April 12, 2025 at Pick-Staiger Hall at Northwestern University.

• The Open Junior and Senior Overall Division winners and MYAC Junior and Senior Overall Division winners will receive a cash award of $1000 plus an MYAC Tuition Waiver (valued at $750) to be used towards 2025 Summer Music Festival programs or 2025-2026 academic year large ensemble tuition.

Accompanists

Students must provide their own accompanist. The accompanist's name MUST be provided on the application form. This allows each contestant to have a scheduled warm up time and a performance time with the accompanist of their choosing.

For a local accompanist, please visit www.privatemusicteaching.org (the zip code for MYAC is 60040).

Application and Entry Fee

The competition entry fee is $75 for the Open Division and $50 for MYAC students (MYAC students who are not a part of an MYAC Orchestra pay $75 and are entered into the Open Division).

Each application and entry fee is for one ten minute performance slot. Students who wish to perform longer than ten minutes (for example performing multiple movements or performing on more than one instrument) must submit an application for each desired performance slot.

*Please note: All entry forms must be submitted online. Fees are non-refundable and must be paid online by 11:59 pm on December 1, 2024. Registration has now closed.

Questions?

For additional questions about the O’Malley Foundation National Concerto Competition please contact jeanmilew@mya.org or call 847-926-9898.