el paso symphony youth orchestra
Concerto Competition 2026
The El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestras (EPSYO) is pleased to announce that its annual Concerto Competition will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026.
This competition is open to current EPSYO members as well as non-EPSYO musicians.
Competition information and rules are provided below. We wish all competitors the very best!
THE CONCERTO COMPETITION IS OPEN TO BOTH CURRENT AND NON-EPSYO MEMBERS!
Eligibility requires that all competitors be under 23 years of age as of the competition date.
For any questions concerning eligibility, please contact the EPSYO office by phoning 915-525-8978 or 915-227-2299 or by emailing our admin.
Event Summary
About the Competition
- Competition will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026.
- Location: University Presbyterian Church
- Application must be received by Wednesday December 30, 2025.
- All applicants will be notified of their audition time and location by email, on or before the week of January 12, 2026. Applicants and accompanists should plan to be available from 9:00AM-5:00PM on the day of the competition.
Competition Guidelines
- Competitors will perform one single movement from their concerto selection. Selection must include orchestral accompaniment. (contact nblack@epsyos.org for repertoire questions)
- Soloist performance requires memorization. (Accompanist may use score)
- All applicants must perform with piano accompaniment, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain and schedule their own accompanist.
- Unaccompanied performances will NOT be permitted.
- Applicants must provide three (3) copies of the piano accompaniment score for the judges (photocopies allowed).
What It Costs
- A $50 fee is required for non-EPSYO applicants.
- Fee is waived for currently enrolled EPSYO members.
Grand Prize
One (1) winner will be selected to perform at the 2026 Side-by-Side Concert, our most prestigious event of the season, in which the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra joins the El Paso Symphony Orchestra in a shared performance on stage.
Announcements
Upcoming events
EPSYO Winter Concert 2026 @ Abraham Chavez Theatre
February 1, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pmEPSYO Side by Side Concert 2026 @ Abraham Chavez Theatre
March 29, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pmEPSYO Season Finale Concert 2026 @ Plaza Theatre
May 17, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm