2026 Festival Syllabus - KWCO Concerto Competition

The KWCO Concerto Competition offers students the exciting opportunity to play in concert with the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Orchestra.  Three (3) Winners and two (2) Runner-Ups will be chosen from this class to perform their Concerto on Saturday May 30^th, 2026.  The winners will also receive two (2) complimentary concert tickets. 

Eligibility, Rules & Regulations:

• ·        Participants ages 12-18 as of January 1st, 2026, are eligible to enter.  Exception: Previous Concerto Competition winners who have performed with the KWCO are not permitted to enter.
• ·        Entry fee: $40.  Registrants must select “KWCO Concerto Competition” on the Syllabus page of the website.
• ·        Concertos must be performed with live piano accompaniment; participants provide their own accompanist.
• ·        Participants must perform one (1) movement of a Concerto.
• ·        The score must be available on IMSLP.org (International Music Score Library Project) or provided to KWCO at their own expense.
• ·        Repertoire selections must be approved by KWCO, which must be submitted by January 31, 2026.
• ·        Winners are expected to dress in appropriate concert attire for the performance.
• ·        Potential winners must be available for rehearsals and the KWCO Concert on the following dates:

o   Rehearsals: Tuesdays at 7:00 pm during the month of May 2026

o   Dress Rehearsal: Saturday May 30th, 2026, at 9:30 am

o   Concert: Saturday May 30^th, 2026, at 7:30 pm

For more info about the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Orchestra and the 2025-2026 Concert Season visit KWCO.org