The Competition Rules

Orchestra Nova San Diego announces The Next Star Competition, an open amateur classical music talent competition for the San Diego County Region.

No prior professional experience is required; in fact, only amateurs are eligible!

This is an extraordinary opportunity – a chance to perform with Orchestra Nova, one of the most inspirational orchestras in our country, in three of our concerts! 

ELIGIBILITY

• Open to all ages, instruments and voices
• The applicant must be an "amateur" classical musician, meaning the principal source of income does not come from public performances of classical music
• Musicians outside of the classical field (i.e. jazz, rock, etc.) are welcome to apply
• Applicants must be a legal resident of San Diego County at the time of application and performance
• Students of local San Diego institutions of higher learning and members of the armed forces who reside in San Diego are also eligible
• Employees of Orchestra Nova or family members of employees are not eligible

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Applications must include a video, an official application form and a $10 non-refundable application fee
• Repertoire selected should be "classical" in nature; a solo (or concerto) to be performed with the orchestra
• Videos can be posted on the Internet (YouTube, web site, etc.) and transmitted via the Internet or e-mail, or a DVD can be mailed to the Orchestra Nova office
• An official application form can be completed online or downloaded at the Orchestra Nova web site (orchestranova.org)
• The $10 application fee can be paid by credit card on the Orchestra Nova web site if completing the application online or by check/money order/credit card if downloading the Application Form and sending it to:

Orchestra Nova San Diego
The Next Star Competition
11772 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 212
San Diego, CA  92121

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

• All videos must be between four and seven minutes in length, including introductions
• Repertoire selected should be “classical” in nature
• If using piano accompaniment, skip long piano introductions or interludes
• Video should allow the soloist to be clearly heard and seen
• At the beginning of the video, the soloist should clearly announce his/her name and the piece(s) he/she is performing
• If submitting video via DVD, it should be clearly labeled with the soloist's name and phone number and/or e-mail address
• If posting a video via the Internet, ensure that the application includes the Internet link

DEADLINE
All application materials and fees must be received by 5:00 p.m. PST on Friday, January 15, 2010.

If submitting material via mail or delivery service, it must be postmarked before Wednesday, January 13, 2010.  If posting and sending files via the Internet, the link or files must be posted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2010.

COMPETITION
Another unique quality of this competition is that the audience and Internet community votes for their favorite semi-finalist and finalist.

Semi-Finals

• A limited number of semi-finalists will be chosen from the preliminary video submissions by an Orchestra Nova panel of judges
• Semi-finalist winners will be posted on the Orchestra Nova web site on January 16, 2010.
• Internet voting will commence for the semi-finalist on January 19, 2010.
• The semi-finalists will be invited to perform in a live audition on Sunday, January 31, 2010 (time and location to be announced)
• Selections for this audition/concert must not exceed 10 minutes.
• Works must be memorized and performed without music
• All contestants must provide their own piano accompanist; if needed, an accompanist can be assigned to you for a $100 fee which will include one 30-minute rehearsal and performance

Finals

• Three finalists will be chosen to perform at three different venues with Orchestra Nova as part of a subscription concert; performances will take place on March 5 (St. Paul’s Cathedral, Downtown), March 6 (Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall, Sorrento Valley) and March 8 (Sherwood Auditorium, La Jolla)  
• Contestants will also be required to attend two rehearsals with the orchestra
• Each finalist will perform a single movement work of no more than 10 minutes in length; the work must be memorized
• Final repertoire must be approved by Orchestra Nova

Semi-Finalist Voting (Internet: January 19 – January 30, 2010)

• Each Internet voter is limited to one vote
• Internet voting will represent 40% of the total vote
• Orchestra Nova panel will represent 60% of the total vote

Finalist Voting (Internet: February 1 – March 4   Live: March 5-6-8, 2010)

• Internet voting will represent 20% of the total vote
• Audiences voting at each concert will represent 65% of the total vote
• Orchestra musicians will represent 15% of the total vote
  
  

THE TIMELINE

• January 15, 2010 – application deadline
• January 19, 2010 – semi-finalists posted on the Orchestra Nova web site; Internet voting for semi-finalists begins
• January 30, 2010 – Internet voting for semi-finalists closes at midnight
• January 31, 2010 – semi-finalists perform in live audition/concert
• February 1, 2010 – finalists posted on the Orchestra Nova web site; Internet voting for finalists begins
• March 4, 2010 – Internet voting for finalists closes at midnight
• March 5, 6, 8, 2010 – Three finalists in concert
• Live voting occurs at each concert during intermission – results are announced at the end of each concert
• March 8, 2010 – Winner is announced at the conclusion of the final concert

CONCERT GUESTS
Finalists are not allowed to purchase more than 20 tickets per concert venue; however, family and friends may purchase an unlimited number of tickets directly from the box office or online. Institutions such as schools, corporations and other public groups may also buy in groups.

MARKETING MATERIALS

• All semi-finalists and finalists must provide a high-resolution photograph, be willing to participate in any media activities or Orchestra Nova promotional videos and perform without fee at the designated locations and dates of all concert and competition events 

CONTACT INFORMATION
Questions can be directed to:
            Paige Satter, Artistic Administrator
            paige.satter@orchestranova.org
            858-350-0290, ext. 1

DISCLAIMERS
All decisions by Orchestra Nova, and its calculation of voting, are final. Orchestra Nova is not responsible for submitted material that is not functional, not deliverable or readable by the committee. Application materials and fee are non-refundable and non-returnable, and will be considered property of Orchestra Nova. Orchestra Nova does not discriminate based on age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. Dates of the competition and concert events may be changed at the discretion of Orchestra Nova. All images, video and audio performances from the competition will be property of Orchestra Nova.