About the Competition
BAY Winds and the Florida Wind Band are thrilled to continue our annual Concerto Competition for eligible students of the BAY Winds Wind Ensemble. This competition aims to foster music education in the Tampa Bay area while offering talented students the opportunity to perform a solo work with a professional ensemble. The winner will be selected through a competitive audition process and will have the chance to perform with the Florida Wind Band in May 2025.
Student Eligibility
- Students must be currently enrolled in either the BAY Winds Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Winds. Alumni are not eligible to participate.
- Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students are welcome to apply.
- Students must be in good standing with both their local, registered school music programs and the BAY Winds organization.
- Students must be available for the live audition (recordings will not be accepted) and, if selected as the winner, for rehearsals and performances with the Florida Wind Band.
Suggested Repertoire & Literature Requirements
- Students may choose a multi-movement work; however, only one movement will be performed live in the concert if selected as the winner.
- The selected piece must be no longer than 10 minutes. Students are encouraged to choose either the first or last movement, or a complete work that fits within the time limit.
- The selected work must have an accessible band accompaniment available for purchase or rental.
- The committee reserves the right to reject any entry if the parts cannot be acquired or the rental is not feasible. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. McCutchen.
Memorization is not required.
Competition Rules & Guidelines
- The decision of the winning candidate is made final by the judging panel.
- No parent, guardians or friends are able to enter the audition room.
- No recording devices are permitted during the live audition.
- No accompanists are permitted during the live audition.
- The concerto competition application fee is non-refundable.
Concerto Competition Fee
The $40 registration fee covers essential costs for the Concerto Competition, including professional sheet music, venue rentals, recordings of the performances, and administrative expenses.
Live Audition Date & Location
Saturday, April 11th, 2026 from 8:30am - 11:30am*
*Times will be assigned to all students registered for the competition within this window.
USF School of Music
3755 USF Holly Drive
Tampa, FL 33620
- On the day of your audition, please check-in at the registration table in front of the Instrumental Rehearsal Hall (IRH).
- You may use any practice available on the first floor only. Practice rooms will be available as early as 8:00am.
- Please be "on deck" at the IRH registration table 10 minutes prior to your audition time.
- Following your audition, results will be emailed to students and families no later than April 30th, 2025.
Rehearsal & Concert Commitments (if selected as a winner)
REHEARSAL
Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church
3501 W. San Jose Street, Tampa, FL 33629
Friday, May 15th, 2026
6:30-9:30 PM
CONCERT 1
Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church
3501 W. San Jose Street, Tampa, FL 33629
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
6:00 PM
CONCERT 2
USF School of Music Concert Hall Stage
3755 USF Holly Drive, Tampa, FL 33620
Sunday, May 17th, 2026
3:30 PM
Questions?
Contact Dr. McCutchen at mccutchen@usf.edu
Previous Winners
2024 - Saia Cardona - Michael Daugherty - Reflections on the Mississippi
2025 - Kaiden Klingler - David Maslanka - Concerto for Alto Saxophone & Wind Ensemble