Competitions
The Music School hosts a variety of competitions that provide challenging and rewarding experiences for students across our community.
Delaware Concerto Competition for Young Musicians
This competition celebrates the artistry of young performer who are ready to take the stage. Participants demonstrate their technical skill, musical expression, and commitment to their instrument. It is a highlight of the school year that encourages growth and showcases talent.
The Delaware Concerto Competition invites talented young musicians through age 18 to perform on piano, harp, strings, brass, woodwinds, or percussion. Winners are given the rare opportunity to perform with the Wilmington Community Orchestra in a public concert at The Music School Concert Hall.
This competition is designed to celebrate artistry, technical ability, and stage presence, while offering students valuable performance experience with a full orchestra.
- Application Due Date: Applications for the next program cycle will open soon.
- Application Fee: $30 nonrefundable (submitted with application form).
- Audition Date: Auditions are typically held each spring at The Music School Concert Hall in Wilmington.
- Accompanist: Students must provide their own accompanists. Teachers may not accompany their own students.
- Application Due Date: Applications for the next program cycle will open soon.
- Application Fee: $30 nonrefundable (submitted with application form).
- Audition Date: Auditions are typically held each spring at The Music School Concert Hall in Wilmington.
- Accompanist: Students must provide their own accompanists. Teachers may not accompany their own students.
Estella Hillersohn Frankel Violin Scholarship Competition
Created in honor of Estella Hillersohn Frankel, this competition provides funding and recognition for violin students. It is an opportunity for dedicated players to showcase their talent and pursue further study.
The Estella Hillersohn Frankel Scholarship Fund was established in 1982 to encourage and advance the study of violin. Each year, grants of up to $1,000 are awarded to violinists who demonstrate promise and dedication. The funds must be used for enrichment opportunities such as workshops, master classes, music camps, chamber music, large ensembles, or music theory. Private lessons and instrument purchases are not eligible.
This competition is open to both The Music School students and outside students who meet the eligibility requirements.
- Application Due Date: Applications for the next program cycle will open soon.
- Application Fee: $40 nonrefundable (submitted with application form and teacher signature).
- Audition Date: Auditions are typically held each spring at The Music School Concert Hall in Wilmington. Students receive their audition times in advance.
- Accompanist: Students must provide their own accompanists. The Music School students who are also auditioning for an Honor Award or Jacqueline Beach Faulcon Scholarship may use the provided accompanist for both auditions.
- Students must be between 10 and 17 years old as of the application due date.
- Students must either:
- reside in or study violin in Delaware, or
- live within 15 miles of the Delaware border.
- First prize winners (including ties) may not compete in the immediate following year.
- Students must perform two contrasting pieces by different composers (total audition time: 10 minutes).
- Concerti must be memorized; other works may be played with music.
- Three copies of the music must be provided for the judges.
- Judges’ decisions are final.
- Failure to meet deadlines or application requirements will result in disqualification.
- Grants must be applied toward an enrichment program within one year of the award.
- Funds will be paid directly to the sponsoring organization, not to the student.
- Winners must provide a digital photograph and submit a short report on their scholarship use by the deadline provided after selection.
The Music School of Delaware Piano Competition
The Music School Piano Competition provides a competitive performance platform for advancing piano students ages 7-18. Students are judged on fluency, accuracy, and musical interpretation, with cash prizes awarded in four age categories. The Janet Cohen Piano Scholarship may also be awarded to an outstanding The Music School private study student.
- Application Deadline: Applications for the next competition cycle will open soon.
- Application Fee: $55 (waived for Summer Piano Institute participants).
- Audition Date: Auditions are typically held in late July at The Music School Concert Hall in Wilmington.
- Age Categories:
- I: Ages 7–9, 4 minutes max
- II: Ages 10–12, 6 minutes max
- III: Ages 13–15, 8 minutes max
- IV: Ages 16–18, 10 minutes max
- Students must permanently reside in Delaware, study their instrument in Delaware, or live within 15 miles of the border.
- Prior first prize winners may not compete in the same age category again.
- Students must perform one memorized piece from the standard solo piano repertoire.
- A PDF copy of music must be submitted with an application.
- Winners will be announced on The Music School website and social media.
- Winners may be asked to perform in a master class during the Summer Piano Institute.
- Grants must be applied toward an enrichment program within one year of the award.
- Funds will be paid directly to the sponsoring organization, not to the student.
- Winners must provide a digital photograph and submit a short report on their scholarship use by the deadline provided after selection.
The Music School of Delaware Young Composers Competition
This competition celebrates creativity by encouraging students to write original works. It gives young composers the chance to share their music and receive feedback from professionals.
The Young Composers Competition invites students ages 18 and under to submit original works for violin, viola, cello, piano, or string quartet. Winning pieces will be performed live by The Music School faculty or guest musicians, providing students with an invaluable professional performance opportunity. Cash prizes and certificates are also awarded, with a grand prize of one year of composition lessons.
- Application Deadline: Applications for the next program cycle will open soon.
- Application Fee: $75 (no Summer Processing Fee).
- Age Categories:
- I: Ages 12 and under
- II: Ages 13–15
- III: Ages 16–18
- Required Materials: Completed application form, composition score, composer bio, and either a video recording, audio recording, or MIDI file.
- Playing Time: 2–8 minutes.
- Students must reside in or study their instrument in Delaware, or live within 15 miles of the border.
- Prizes awarded for outstanding solo or chamber music works.
- The number of prizes awarded is at the discretion of the judges.
- Judges’ decisions are final.
- Cash prizes: First Prize $150, Second Prize $100, Third Prize $50.
Young Composers Competition
2026 Competition for Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano, and String Quartet
Compositions for combinations of violin, viola, cello, piano, and string quartet. Prizes are awarded for outstanding solo and chamber music works in up to three age categories (ages 12 and under, 13–15, and 16–18). Prizes and certificates will be awarded, in addition to a grand prize scholarship of one year of composition lessons at the Music School. Music School faculty members and guests will perform winning pieces live in concert (exceptions may be necessary).
IMPORTANT DATES
Application Deadline (including application fee): Wednesday, July 1, 2026 by 8:00pm
Mandatory Application Materials: Composition score, composer bio, video/recording of the composition or MIDI file
Performance/s: Throughout the 2026-2027 Academic Year
Application Fee: $75; no Summer Processing Fee
Playing Time: Each candidate’s piece should be between 2 and 8 minutes long.
Age Categories (as of date of audition):
I: ages 12 and under
II: ages 13–15
III: ages 16–18
Rules
- Students must complete the online registration form and pay the application fee to enter.
- Students must submit a solo or chamber music piece for combinations including violin, viola, cello, piano, and string quartet. No electronic music for the purposes of this competition.
- Students must: (a) permanently reside in or study music in Delaware, or (b) permanently reside within 15 miles of the Delaware border.
- If only one contestant applies in a category or if there is no qualified contestant, the judges may decide not to select a winner.
- Cash prizes and certificates may be awarded to the winners in each category. The number of prizes awarded is at the discretion of the judges.
- The judges reserve the right to not assign any prizes.
- The decision of the judges is final.
- All winners will be announced on the Music School website, newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Cash prizes and certificates will be mailed.
Piano Competition
A competitive performance experience for serious, advancing piano students. Prizes are awarded for outstanding performances of solo piano repertoire based on technical fluency, accuracy, and musical interpretation, in up to four age categories (ages 7–9, 10–12, 13–15, and 16–18). Cash prizes will be awarded, in addition to the Janet Cohen Piano Scholarship for private study for Music School students.
IMPORTANT DATES
Application Deadline (including application fee & pdf of music): Monday, July 6
Audition Date (in person): Mon: July 20, beginning at 9am
Application Fee: $55 (waived for Summer Piano Institute participants); no Summer Processing Fee
Age Categories (as of competition date):
I: ages 7–9, 4 minutes max.
II: ages 10–12, 6 minutes max.
III: ages 13–15, 8 minutes max.
IV: ages 16–18, 10 minutes max.
RULES
- Students must complete the online registration form and pay the application fee to enter.
- Students must submit a pdf of their music with the online registration form or via email.
- Students must: (a) permanently reside in or study their instrument in Delaware, or (b) permanently reside within 15 miles of the Delaware border.
- Students are eligible to compete in a category if they have not previously received first prize in the same age category.
- Students must perform one piece from the standard solo piano repertoire. Complete performance time may not exceed time limit of entrant’s age category.
- All music must be memorized.
- Winners will be selected based on an audition before judge(s). Criteria include technical fluency, accuracy, and musical interpretation.
- If only one contestant applies in a category or if there is no qualified contestant, the judge(s) may decide not to select a winner.
- Cash prizes and certificates will be awarded to the winners in each category. The number of prizes awarded is at the discretion of the judge(s).
- The decision of the judge(s) is final.
- First-prize winners are expected to perform in a masterclass by the Summer Piano Institute guest artist, Tues: July 21, 2026, 10am.
- All winners will be announced on the Music School website, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Certificates and Awards will be mailed to contestants and winners.
