🎶 About the Gifted Youth USA Flute Competition: A Premier Stage for Tomorrow’s Flute Virtuosos
The Gifted Youth USA Flute Competition was created to redefine excellence in student music competitions—bridging a critical gap often overlooked in traditional contests. Too often, young flutists compete across unequal categories, where age, skill level, and repertoire differences create an uneven playing field.
This competition is different.
Founded by renowned professional flutists and esteemed educators, this prestigious event is designed to:
🎵 Ensure Fair & Precise Judging – Competitors are placed in well-defined categories, allowing for genuine, equitable evaluation.
🎵 Set a New Standard of Excellence – Competitors are matched against world-class performance benchmarks, fostering an elite, high-caliber experience.
🎵 Provide Unparalleled Performance Opportunities – The top concerto winner will receive the extraordinary honor of performing with a live orchestra—an opportunity rarely found in youth competitions.
Our distinguished panel of professional flutists brings a wealth of expertise, integrity, and passion to the judging process, ensuring that every participant is given a fair, inspiring, and transformative competition experience. Whether you are a rising soloist or ensemble musician, this is your chance to test your skills, earn recognition, and perform on an international stage.
Join us. Compete with the best. Rise to the challenge.
DETAILS
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When/Where
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📅 Date: June 1, 2025. Time to be announced later.
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📍 Location: Orange Music Studio, 996 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129
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👗Attire: Formal
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Categories
🔹 Classical Concerto (1st Movement Only)
🔹Ensemble of 3+ (One instrument must be a flute)
🏆 Open to: High school students & recent graduates
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Prizes
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Classical Concerto Winner:
✅ $1,000 cash prize
✅ Opportunity to perform full concerto with orchestra -
Ensemble Category Prize:
✅ $1,000 total prize fund
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1. Who is eligible to compete?The competition is open to high school students (grades 9–12) and recent high school graduates. (Up to the age of 20)
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2. What pieces can I play in the Classical Concerto category?Participants must perform the 1st movement (no repeats) of a Classical or Romantic flute concerto by an approved composer. The chosen piece needs to be memorized. If you’re unsure whether your piece qualifies, please reach out for approval. Approved composers include: Baroque: Johann Joachim Quantz, Johann Sebastian Bach (reconstructed concerti), Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. Antonio Vivaldi. Classical: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Xaver Richter, François Devienne. Romantic: Saverio Mercadante, Luigi Boccherini, Anton Reicha, Friedrich Kuhlau, Carl Reinecke, Otar GordeliGabriel Fauré Charles Tomlinson, Griffes, Cécile Chaminade, Albert Franz Doppler. Georges Hüe, Anders Emil Hansen 🎵 If you are unsure whether your concerto is eligible, please contact us for approval. we@giftedyouth.net
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3. Can ensembles include instruments other than flutes?Yes! Ensembles must have at least three instruments, and one must be a flute. The rest can be any combination of instruments.
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4. How long can my performance be?Soloists (Concerto Category): Perform the 1st movement as written, no repeats. Ensembles: Up to 7 minutes total (one or two short pieces).
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5. Do I need to provide a pianist/accompanist?Soloists are responsible for bringing their own accompanist (if required by their piece). Ensembles do not need an accompanist unless their chosen piece requires one.
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6. How do I submit my application?Applications must be submitted through the official form on our website. All required materials, including the piano or ensemble score, must be uploaded before the deadline.
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7. What are the entry fees?Soloists: $85 Ensemble members: $35 per student Fees go toward prizes, judges, venue, and competition costs.
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8. How will winners be chosen?A panel of highly qualified professional flutists will judge performances based on technique, tone, interpretation, and overall artistry.
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9. What are the prizes?Classical Concerto Category: 1st Prize: $1,000 cash + opportunity to perform the full concerto with an orchestra. 2nd & 3rd Prize: Instead of cash, winners may receive: ✅ Certificates of Achievement ✅ A masterclass or coaching session with a renowned flutist ✅ Special Recognition Awards (e.g., Best Interpretation, Best Artistry) Ensemble Category: A $1,000 total prize fund will be distributed at the judges’ discretion.
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10. How does the performance with the orchestra work?The 1st prize winner of the Classical Concerto category will have the opportunity to: Learn the full concerto (all movements). Have several months to prepare and memorize it. Perform the complete concerto with an orchestra in early fall 2025 (exact date to be announced).
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11. Can my teacher or parents attend the competition?Yes! The competition is open to the public, and we encourage teachers, family, and friends to attend and support the performers.
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12. Where and when will the competition take place?📍 Location: Orange Music Studio, 996 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129 📅 Date: June 1, 2025
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13. Who should I contact if I have questions?For any questions, please email we@giftedyouth.net or reach out via our social media.