The University of Puget Sound Concerto-Aria Competition has been an honored tradition in the School of Music since 1981. Students participate each year in this competitive program that highlights their work as musical soloists. Instrumental and vocal competitors prepare their chosen solos for a competition audition. Winners are offered the opportunity to perform as soloists with the School of Music’s Symphony Orchestra or Wind Ensemble. This year, we will also host a Spotlight Recital featuring performers from the Competition not designated as winners, but whose performances were outstanding. Judges will select both Concerto Aria winner(s) and spotlight recital performers. Prior years' winners have also gone on to win regional and national music competitions; and perform with professional ensembles and opera companies.
We are pleased to announce the date of our 2026-27 Concerto-Aria Competition: Sunday, November 1, 2026 in Schneebeck Concert Hall. Please see below for competition overview and rules and the 2026-27 application form. For questions about collaborative pianists for the competition, please see the rules and/or contact Dr. Isabella Jie (ijie@pugetsound.edu).
2026-27 dates and deadlines:
- Application Window Opens: 9am, Thursday, September 3, 2026
- Application Window Closes: 5pm, Monday, September 14, 2026 (no applications will be accepted after 5pm on September 14, 2026)
- Students/teachers notified of confirmation of participation: Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Competition day schedule (with specific time slots) communicated to contestants by Monday, October 12, 2026
- Musical scores due to competition coordinator: Friday, October 16, 2026
- Competition Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Spotlight Recital: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 12pm, School of Music, Schneebeck Concert Hall
- Winner(s) perform with large ensembles: TBD in consultation with ensemble directors and soloists.
