Rounds & Repertoire
PRELIMINARY SELECTION
February 27-28, 2025.
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS
Applicants must submit a performance recording of repertoire of the candidate’s choice. Recordings may be paused between each repertoire selection or recorded on the different venues/dates.
If an applicant is selected to participate in the Semifinal Round of the competition, repertoire performed in performance video of the preliminary round may be repeated in the subsequent main rounds. For details, please see the Competition Rounds Section below.
The recording can be uploaded through the Gershwin Music Competition online application link (preferable way), OR submitted as a single disk or flash drive, sent by mail with a completed application form.
Links to online recordings (YouTube) can also be emailed to: gershwincompetition@gmail.com.
February 25, 2025 - 11:59 PM - Cycle 1 - Open for registration
May 15, 2025 - 11:59 PM - Cycle 2
- Open for registration
September 15, 2025 - 11:59 PM - Cycle 3
- Open for registration
3 Cycles of video pre-selection are independant auditions. Several participants are admitted to the Semifinal Rounds (in October) from each Video pre-selection cycle.
Young Artists: Pianists and Ensembles 13 to 17 years of age: 1 or several pieces no less than 10 minutes and no more than 30 minutes of total time.
Category 8 to 12 years of age: 1 or several pieces no less than 5 minutes and no more than 25 minutes of total time.
Vertex Concerto Competition - no age limit: 1 or several pieces no less than 5 minutes and no more than 60 minutes of total time.
- Participants can submit 1 or several recordings, which fit the timing indicated for specific age category. Jury members can accept recordings which exceed performance time by 2-3 minutes (if needed).
- We don't have specific requirements to the camera angle, however we would like a recording to have a nice sound quality.
- The recording does NOT have to be made specifically for the Gershwin Competition.
LIVE PRE-SELECTION AUDITION
Address: 37 West 65h Street 4th Floor, New York
Category 13 to 17 years of age: 1 or several pieces no more than 10 minutes of performance time.
Category 8 to 12 years of age: 1 or several pieces no more than 7 minutes of performance time.
Chamber Ensembles 18-45 years 1 or several pieces of members' age: no more than 15 minutes of performance time.
Chamber Ensembles 13-17 years 1 or several pieces of members' age: no more than 10 minutes of performance time.
Vertex Concerto Competition -no age limit: 1 or several pieces no more than 15 minutes of performance time.
Important! It's not required to perform Gershwin works at Live Preliminary Audition or to submit a Preliminary Round Recording.
COMPETITION ROUNDS
PIANO
SEMIFINAL ROUND
(36 competitors)
(36 competitors)
Each pianist will perform a short recital program not to exceed 20 minutes in length.
The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the pianist and may include one work by George Gershwin.
Gershwin work(s) can be composer's original composition, or it can be a transcription on a composition by George Gershwin. Best performance of Gershwin's work will be eligible to receive special prize.
It's NOT a requirement to perform Gershwin work.
2 works chosen from the repertoire of the Preliminary Round may be repeated in the Semifinal Round.
FINAL ROUND
(12 competitors)
(12 competitors)
Each pianist will perform a recital program between 25 and 35 minutes in length.
The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the pianist. The program should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to present a stylistically diverse program.
Works from the previous rounds may NOT be repeated.
SEMIFINAL ROUND
Each pianist will perform a short recital program between 10 and 15 minutes in length. The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the pianist and may include one or more works by George Gershwin.
Gershwin work(s) can be composer's original composition, or it can be a transcription on a composition by George Gershwin. The best performance of Gershwin's work will be eligible to receive special prize.
It's NOT a requirement to perform Gershwin work.
2 works chosen from the repertoire of the Preliminary Round may be repeated in either Semifinal or Final Round.
FINAL ROUND
Each pianist will perform a recital program between 18 and 20 minutes in length.
The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the pianist. The program should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to present a stylistically diverse program.
1 work from the previous rounds may be repeated.
Each pianist will perform a program between 8 and 12 minutes in length.
The repertoire will consist of works chosen by the pianist and may include one work by George Gershwin.
It's possible to repeat some or all pieces performed in the Preliminary Round.
New in 2025!
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
Any instrumental combination of 2 to 8 players in total, which may include piano.
The average age of young artists' ensembles must be between 13 and 17, while concert artists ensembles can be between ages 18 to 45.
SEMIFINAL ROUND REPERTOIRE.
2-3 compositions chosen by the contestants, with timing not to exceed 15 minutes.
FINAL ROUND REPERTOIRE.
2-4 compositions chosen by the contestants, with timing not to exceed 30 minutes.
It's NOT a requirement to perform Gershwin work or a transcription in either round, however George Gershwin Music Competition will offer special Prize for the best performance of George Gershwin.Works performed in the Preliminary Round may be repeated in the Semifinal and/or Final Rounds.
SEMIFINAL ROUND REPERTOIRE.
1-2 compositions chosen by the contestants, with timing not to exceed 10 minutes.
FINAL ROUND REPERTOIRE.
2-4 compositions chosen by the contestants, with timing not to exceed 20 minutes.
It's NOT a requirement to perform Gershwin work or a transcription in either round, however George Gershwin Music Competition will offer special Prize for the best performance of George Gershwin.Works performed in the Preliminary Round may be repeated in the Semifinal and/or Final Rounds.
The 2025 competitions are open for pianists and chamber ensembles only, while strings, winds, brass, and singers can participate in the Vertex Concerto Competition, which is a part of the Gershwin Competition-2025
(see BELOW).
VERTEX CONCERTO COMPETITION
LIVE FINAL ROUND REPERTOIRE.
1 category - no age limit
1-2 pieces of contrasting styles.
Time limit: 15 minutes maximum
A movement from a concerto is a plus, but not required.
STRING INSTRUMENTS
Violin~Viola~Cello~Double Bass~Harp~Guitar
Repertoire will be similar to season 2017. For repertoire requirements, click HERE
WINDS & BRASS INSTRUMENTS
Flute~Oboe~Clarinet~Bassoon
English Horn~French Horn~Saxophone~
Trombone~Trumpet~Tuba
Trombone~Trumpet~Tuba
Repertoire will be similar to season 2017. For repertoire requirements, click HERE
VOICE
Repertoire will be similar to season 2017. For repertoire requirements, click HERE
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