10th International "Silver Sounds" Contest for Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion (solo performers) 2023

10th "Silver Sounds" International Contest for Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion (solo performers) 

March 25 - 28, 2023

Petrozavodsk, the Republic of Karelia

Founders: Petrozavodsk State Glazunov Conservatoire, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk City Administration,

Organizer: Petrozavodsk State Glazunov Conservatoire

The objectives of the Contest: 

  • to contribute to the development and promotion of brass music;
  • to strengthen relationship between the musicians from different countries;
  • to detect the most talented young music performers.

Terms of the Contest

Woodwinds, brass and percussion performers under 35 years old are invited to participate in the Contest.

The Contest is held in the following instrument categories – flute, recorder, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, French horn, trumpet (alto, tenor, baritone), trombone, tuba, drums and percussions, and jazz instruments (saxophone, guitar, bass guitar, drums and percussion, jazz piano) in five age groups: 

  • Group I –  up to 11 years old
  • Group II – up to 13 years old
  • Group III – up to 15 years old
  • Group IV – up to and including 20 years old (including students of music colleges for who the maximum age is not limited)
  • Group V–   up to and including 35 years old. 

Age category of a participant is defined by the number of full years as of March 25th, 2023.

Application requirements

The application package must be sent before the 1st of February 2023 by e-mail or by post to Petrozavodsk State Glazunov Conservatoire. Registration is based on:

  • Application form
  • A copy of the birth certificate or passport (original documents should be presented upon arrival)
  • A color photo of high quality in JPG indicating applicant's full name

The registration fee (2000 rubles for groups I, II, III, IV and 3000 rubles for the group V) should be paid upon arrival to the Contest. 

Should an applicant refuse to participate in the Contest, no documents or the participation fee are returned or refunded.

Traveling, board and lodging expenses for contestants, accompanists, teachers and other escorting persons shall be borne by the contestants or delegating organizations.

Contact details

Organizing Committee of the “Silver Sounds” Contest, 
E-mail: roman.vorobyev@glazunovcons.ru 
Petrozavodsk State Glazunov Conservatoire
185031, Leningradskaya str. 16, Petrozavodsk, Russia 

The contest held in the age groups I, II, III and IV consists of two rounds. In the age group V the contest consists of three rounds.

The contestant's order of play is defined by the Organizing Committee. 

In age groups I, II, III and IV the winners of the Contest shall be determined according to the results of the two rounds.  In the age group V no more than 5 contestants (each instrument category) are admitted for participation in the third round.

The performance of the contestants shall be evaluated by the international jury. The winners of the Contest shall be awarded with laureate diplomas of Degree I, II and III. 

The laureates of the Contests are obliged to perform in the gala performance free of charge. 

The jury has the right, if agreed by all members, to not listen to contestant’s program in full, to not award all the diplomas, to award diplomas to the most outstanding soloists and accompanists who have not taken prize-winning places. 

Jury’s decision is final and not subject to reconsideration. 

Program requirements

Every composition of the Contest program in every age group shall be performed from memory.  Music pieces in different rounds should not be repeated. Any scores of Russian composers’ music pieces included in the mandatory list are to be sent via email on request. 

In the first round, a scale and two etudes of diverse nature (or an etude and a solo piece) at the performer's choice are performed with no accompaniment. In the percussions category the etudes and pieces are performed on snare drum. In age group IV, the scale is selected by draw (major and minor scales, up to six dots), and etudes and pieces are the performer's choice.  

In the second round, contestants from age group I perform two compositions of diverse nature as selected by the contestant but not played in the first round. In age groups II, III and IV, any composition from the list of mandatory works and a composition (7 minutes maximum) selected by the contestant but not performed in the first round shall be played. In the percussions category, a work selected at the performer's choice shall be played on snare drum.  

In all age groups scales shall be performed in detache and legato strokes.

In age group I scales and triad arpeggio are performed:  

  •  on recorder, oboe, bassoon – eighth notes (1/4   = 80 or higher tempo)
  •  on saxophone, trumpet – eighth notes (1/4   = 60 or higher tempo)
  •  on French horn, trombone, alto, tenor, baritone, tuba – quarter notes ( 1/4 = 80 or higher tempo)

Scales and triad arpeggio with inversion are performed on flute, clarinet, xylophone – at least two octaves, eighth notes (1/4 = 80 or higher tempo)

In age group II scales, triad arpeggio with inversion and dominant seventh chord with inversion are performed:

  •  on flute – eighth notes, by using the lower range completely and the upper range up to sounds H3 – C4 (1/4 = 120 or higher tempo) 
  •  on oboe – eighth notes, by using the lower range completely and the upper range up to sounds C3 - D3 (1/4  =100 or higher tempo)
  •  on clarinet – eighth notes, by using the lower range completely and the upper range up to sounds F3 (1/4  =120 or higher tempo)
  •  on bassoon – eighth notes (1/4 =  100 or higher tempo)
  •  on saxophone – eighth notes, by using the full range of the instrument, if possible (1/4 = 80 or higher tempo)
  • on French horn, trumpet, tenor, baritone, trombone, tuba – eighth notes (1/4 = 80 or higher tempo)
  •  on xylophone – eighth notes, at least two octaves (1/4 = 120 or higher tempo)

In age group III scales, triad arpeggio with inversion and dominant seventh chord with inversion are performed:

  • on flute  – sixteenth notes, by using the lower range completely and the upper range up to sounds H3 - C4 (1/4 = 100 or higher tempo)
  • on oboe – sixteenth notes, by using the lower and upper registers completely (1/4 = 100 or higher tempo)
  • on clarinet – sixteenth notes, by using the lower range completely and the upper range up to sounds F3 - G3 ( 1/4  =100 or higher tempo)
  • on bassoon  – sixteenth notes, at least two octaves (1/4 = 80 or higher tempo)
  • on saxophone – sixteenth notes, by using the full range of the instrument, if possible (1/4 = 60 or higher tempo)
  • on  trumpet – sixteenth notes, at least two octaves (1/4 = 60 or higher tempo) 
  • on French horn, trumpet, tenor, baritone, trombone, tuba – sixteenth notes, at least two octaves (1/4 = 80 or higher tempo)
  • on xylophone – sixteenth notes, at least two octaves (1/4 = 100 or higher tempo)

In age group IV scales, triad arpeggio with inversion and dominant seventh chord with inversion – in major scales, or reduced leading note with inversion – in minor scales, are performed: 

  • on flute – sixteenth notes, by using the lower range completely and the upper range up to sounds H3 - C4 (1/4 = 120 or higher tempo)
  • on oboe – sixteenth notes, by using the lower and upper registers completely (1/4 = 100 or higher tempo)
  • on clarinet – sixteenth notes, by using the lower range completely and the upper range up to sounds G3 - A3 (1/4 = 120 or higher tempo)
  • on bassoon –sixteenth notes, by using the lower and upper registers completely (1/4 = 100 or higher tempo)
  • on saxophone – sixteenth notes, by using the lower and upper registers completely (1/4 = 80 or higher tempo)
  • on French horn, trumpet – sixteenth notes, at least two octaves (1/4 = 80 or higher tempo)
  • on trombone, tuba – sixteenth notes, at least two octaves (1/4 = 100 or higher tempo)
  • on xylophone – sixteenth notes, at least two octaves (1/4 = 120 or higher tempo)

List of pieces mandatory for playing in round II for age groups II, III, IV and in rounds I,  II, III for the age group V

FLUTE

Group II  
J.B. Pergolezi Concerto G-dur for flute and orchestra, 1st movement 

Group III  
A. Vivaldi Concerto for flute and orchestra “The Young Goldfinch”, 1st movement

Group IV
A. Vivaldi Concerto g-moll for flute and orchestra “La notte”

Group V 
Round I 
J.S. Bach Sonata e-moll for flute and piano, 1st and 2nd or 3rd and 4th movements 

Round II
A work of a composer of the XX-XXI century at the performer's choice, up to 10 minutes of duration.

Round III 
W.A. Mozart Concerto G-dur, 1st movement

OBOE

Group II 
L.V. Beethoven Contredans 

Group III 
G.P. Telemann Concerto e-moll for oboe and strings, 1st and 2nd movements 

Group IV
А. Vivaldi Concerto a-moll for oboe and orchestra 

Group V 

Round I 
A composition at the performer's choice from the list below
J.S. Bach Sonata g-moll for oboe and piano, 1st and 2nd or 3rd and 4th movements 

А. Vivaldi Concerto C-dur for oboe and orchestra, Fanna 31. No. 1
G.P. Telemann Sonata g-moll or Sonata B-dur , any two movements  
V. Bellini Concerto for oboe and orchestra 

F. Kramář Concerto for oboe and orchestra, Op.37, 2nd and 3rd movements 

Round II 
A composition at the performer's choice from the list below 
M. Dranishnikova Poem for oboe and piano 
A. Aslamas Songs of the Ancestors 

E. Patlaenko Sonata for oboe solo from “Music for Evenings” (Эдуард Патлаенко. Соната    для гобоя соло из цикла«Вечернее музицирование»)

G. Ranki Don Quijote and Dulcinea for oboe and piano 

C. Saint-Säens Sonata for oboe and piano 
 

Round III
W. А. Mozart Concerto C-dur for Oboe and Orchestra, 1st movement with cadence at choice

CLARINET

Group II
F.A. Hoffmeister  Concerto F-dur for clarinet and orchestra, 1st movement

Group III
Karl Stamitz Concerto No. 3 B-dur for clarinet and orchestra, 1st movement

Group IV
Jan Stamic Concerto B-dur for clarinet and orchestra, 1st movement

Group V 

Round I
1. A composition at the performer's choice from the list below

F. Kramář Concerto Es-dur for clarinet and orchestra, 1st movement
L. Koželuh Concerto Es-dur for clarinet and orchestra, 1st movement
J. Vanhal Concerto Es-dur for clarinet and orchestra, 1st movement
Karl Stamitz Concerto F-dur for clarinet and orchestra, 1st movement
A. Dimler Concerto B-dur for clarinet and orchestra, 1st movement

2. A piece for clarinet solo at the performer's choice (arrangements or etudes are possible) 

Round II

A composition at the performer's choice from the list below

a) J. Brahms Concerto for clarinet and piano No.1 f-moll, 1st and 2nd movements 

b) J. Brahms Concerto for clarinet and piano No.2 Es-dur, 1st and 2nd movements 

Round III 
W. А. Mozart Concerto А-dur for clarinet and orchestra, 1st movement 

BASSOON

Group II  
A. Grechaninov “Veselchak”

Group III
T. Konchakova  Suite “Karelian pictures”. Story of the Stranger 

Group IV 
B. Marcello Sonata No. 2 e-moll for Bassoon and Piano, Op.2

Group V.
Round I

1. E. Cools Konzertstück for Bassoon and Piano, Op. 80 
2. A composition at the performer's choice up to 10 minutes of duration.
Round II 
Y. Livitin Sonata for Bassoon and Piano, Op. 70
Round III 
F. Danzi Concerto F-dur for Bassoon and Orchestra. P. 237

SAXOPHONE 

Group II 
A. Waignein Little Concerto, 2nd and 3rd movements  

Group III 
J. Ibert “Histoires”, one movement at participant’s choice

Group IV 
S. Rachmaninov The Symphonic Dances - saxophone solo 

Group V.
Round I

A work of a composer of the 19th century at the performer's choice, up to 10 minutes of duration.

Round II
A composition at the performer's choice up to 10 minutes of duration (any movements at choice) from the list below

J. Absil Sonata

R. Boutry Divertimento

Ph. Woods Sonata 

P. Creston Sonata 

W. Albright Sonata 

J. Semler-Collery Concerto-fantasia  

P. Hindemith Sonata 

Round III
H. Villa-Lobos Fantasia for saxophone and orchestra

G. Kalinkovich Concerto Capriccio on themes of Paganini  

FRENCH HORN

Group II 
F. Schubert Serenade (Ständchen)

Group III
C. Saint-Säens Romance Op. 36

Group IV 
W. А. Mozart Rondo for horn and orchestra, K. 371 with cadence at choice. 

Group V 
Round I
1. P. Dukas Villanelle
2. V. Buyanovski  Russian Song
Round II 
1. R. Schumann Adagio and Allegro
2.  R. Glière  Nocturne

Round III  

J. Strauss. Concerto No. 1 for horn and orchestra

TRUMPET

Group II 
J. Porret Concertino No.20

      

Group III 
G.P. Telemann. Sonata F-dur

  

Group IV 
A. Savard Morceau de Concours

 

Group V
Round I
G. Neruda. Trumpet Concerto  
Round II 
1. A composition at the performer's choice from the list below

Th. Charlier: Solo de Concours

G. Enesco Légende

M. Gottlieb The  Teme and variations
2. G. Fauré Après un rêve
Round III 
O. Böhme Concerto for trumpet and orchestra, 1st movement 

TENOR, BARITONE

Group II
M. Glinka. The Northern Star

Group III
P. Tchaikovsky.  Cantata “Moscow”. Warrior’s Arioso  

TROMBONE

Group II 
J.S. Bach. Minuet 

Group III 
J. Matej. Fugue 

Group IV
Croce-Spinelli.  Solo De Concours

Group V.
Round I
 
1. C. Saint - Saens Romance or F. Strauss Nocturno 

2.  V. Blazhevich Concerto No. 5 or Concerto No. 9

Round II

1. E. Bozza Ballade or Chaconne

2. A composition at the performer's choice from the list below 

Z. Stojowski Fantasy 

J. Jongen Aria et Polonaise

A. Nesterov Legend and Scherzo

Round III

A.Nesterov Concerto for trombone 

 

BASS TROMBONE

 

Group V.
Round I
 
1. G.P. Telemann Sonata

2. A. Lebedev Concerto 

Round II

1. F. Hidas Rhapsody for bass trombone and piano 

2. Th.R. Georg Concerto for Bass Trombone

Round III

1. A. Nesterov Concerto for Bass Trombone 

2. F. Hidas Rhapsody  

 

TUBA

Group II
M. Glinka “Knight’s Romance”

Group III 
N. Rimsky-Korsakov “Sadko” Song of the Varangian Guest  

Group IV
V. Strukov Fantasy on themes of Rimsky-Korsakov 

Group V 
Round I 
1. A composition at the performer's choice from the list below
J.S. Bach Sonata No. 2  Es-dur arr. for tuba and piano by F. Cooley
A. Caporale Sonata d-moll arr. for tuba and piano
H. Eccles Sonata g-moll arr.for tuba and piano by F. Lelong
2. R. Schumann Romance No. 3, Op. 94 arr. for tuba and piano by F. Cooley
Round II
 
1. A composition at the performer's choice from the list below
Z. Gárdonyi Sonata for tuba and piano
B. Hummel Sonatine for tuba and piano 

J. Takacs Sonata Capricciosa for tuba and piano

V. Buyanovsky Improvisation for tuba solo 
Round III
 
A. Arutiunian Concerto for tuba and orchestra

PERCUSSIONS

Group II 
 
I. Kataev Humoresque of xylophone and piano

Group III 
N. Chaykin Concert piece on the themes of American folk songs for xylophone and piano

Group IV
 
N. Minch The Paraphrase on the themes of I. Dunaevsky’s songs for xylophone and piano

Group V  (in group V snare drum performers are allowed to sight read music pieces)
Round I 
1. P. Sarasate Introduction and Tarantella (arr. for xylophone and piano by K. Kupinsky)
2. M. Markovich “Stamina” for snare drum solo
Round II 
1. C. Saint-Säens Introduction and rondo-capriccioso (to be performed according to the original)
2. V. Basler “My friend Jospo” for snare drum solo
Round III
1. D. Shostakovich Burlesque from the concert for violin with orchestra, to be performed according to the original
2. J. Collins “Tabula Rasa”

JAZZ ORCHESTRA INSTRUMENTS  –  SAXOPHONE, GUITAR, BASS GUITAR, PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS, JAZZ PIANO – program requirements on request