The Young Soloists Concerto Competition is a long-standing tradition and a highlight of our season. Students grades 7-12, playing any orchestral instrument, (including piano) are invited to audition for an opportunity to perform a movement of their concerto with the SSO.

Each year, the winners dazzle the audience with their musicality and virtuosity and inspire our orchestra to rise to their level.

Many past winners have gone on to distinguished professional musical careers: pianist Orion Weiss,  Eliesha Nelson (violist Cleveland Orchestra, Grammy nominee), Philip Setzer (violinist Emerson String Quartet), Mitchell Stern (violin, faculty, Manhattan School of Music, Laurie Smukler (violin, faculty Juilliard), Yolanda Kondonassis (harp: world famous harp soloist), Ning An (piano, faculty National University of Singapore), Caroline Goulding (violin, soloist, Grammy nominee), Hannah Moses (cello, Callisto Quartet), Henry Shapard (former principal cello London Symphony Orchestra, current principal of Vancouver Symphony), Samuel Rosenthal (viola, rising star- 2021 silver medalist of Primrose Viola Competition, First prize winner of the 2025 Tertis International Viola Competition)

So…who will be next?