27th Annual Hellam Competition
March 23, 2024
Competition Information
Missouri State University | Springfield, Missouri
First Prize $7,000** Second Prize $3,500 Third Prize $1,500
**May be invited to perform with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) in the 2024-25 season. (If the winning major work has already been programmed as part of the 2024-25 SSO season, the winner must perform another major work).
The First Prize winner will receive $3,500 and a contract to perform with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. The remaining $3,500 will be awarded after the SSO performance. Failure to fulfill the SSO engagement would result in forfeiture of the $3,500.
Eligibility Requirements
Must be an instrumentalist between 18 and 26 years of age and enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies, or must have graduated within the last year. (Exceptions are at the discretion of the Hellam Committee.) We will not be accepting vocalists this year.
Audition Repertoire
Each entrant must submit at least one movement of a standard, multi-movement, or large-scale, major work, with piano accompaniment through Acceptd. Selections submitted through Acceptd must be from the major work entered on the application. Submissions with orchestral accompaniment will not be considered.
Entry deadline is November 30, 2023.
Applicants should avoid selecting the following concertos as these works have been recently performed at the SSO Subscription concerts:
- Barber, Violin Concerto
- Paganini, Violin Concerto
- Korngold, Violin Concerto
- Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto #2
To submit audition materials:
- Please go to https://app.getacceptd.com/hellamcompetition.
- Under “Start an Application,” select “2024 Hellam International Young Artists’ Competition.”
- Click the green “Apply to” button below to begin.
- You will be directed to a page where you will create an Acceptd account or login to your existing account. A valid email is required (check spam folder).
- You will be directed back to the Hellam International Young Artists’ Competition application page. Fill out all fields, upload your materials, and submit the $145 fee.
Additional Information
Top scored entrants will be notified by January 13, 2024, of their advancement to the semi-final round.
Repertoire must be the same as entered through Acceptd. Entrants must provide five (5) copies of their score—one for each adjudicator. Please be sure the scores are all the same.
Semi-final round will take place the morning of March 23, 2024. Entrants will perform one movement, memorized, with piano accompaniment.
Final round will take place in the afternoon of March 23, 2024. Finalists will perform the complete work, memorized, with piano accompaniment.
If available, and desired, housing will be provided from March 22-24, 2024.
Finalists must provide their own accompanist and provide five (5) copies of their score; one for each adjudicator. Please be sure the scores are all the same.
Owing to the very small pool of available accompanists in Springfield, applicants are strongly urged to bring their own accompanists. Applicants who wish to explore locally available accompanists should contact Judy Hellam at judyhellam@gmail.com.
Adjudicators will confer and award prizes immediately following the completion of the performances.
