Third Street Music School
Concerto Competition
2026 Concerto Competition Timeline
Third Street’s Concerto Competition provides young Third Street artists with the opportunity to perform solo with Third Street orchestras.
The winners are selected through a rigorous application and audition process, representing some of the city’s finest young musicians.
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Deadline to apply and submit audition video
Sunday, November 16, 2025
In-person audition for finalists
Eligibility
1. The competition is free of charge and open to all students (18 years of age and under) currently enrolled in a Third Street class, ensemble, or weekly private lessons. (Flex-pass lessons are ineligible)
2. Each applicant may only audition on one instrument per year. The instrument does not need to be the same instrument studied in lessons or ensembles.
3. Previous winners must wait one full year before applying again.
Repertoire Requirements
1. Applications will be accepted for voice and orchestral and symphonic instruments, including piano, guitar, and percussion.
2. Applicants must choose one movement from a concerto or another published solo work with standard orchestral accompaniment. Double concertos are also accepted.
3. The length of the chosen movement or work must be no longer than 15 minutes.
4. The same piece must be performed for both audition and the concert, if selected.
5. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that orchestral parts are available for purchase, loan, or rental. Third Street will coordinate and purchase final selections. Works may not be approved if rental or purchase costs are unreasonable, or if the required instrumentation is unavailable or considered excessive.
AUDITION PROCESS
1. A preliminary video screening audition will be held. From this round, selected finalists will be invited to in-person auditions in November.
2. Barring exceptional cases, all repertoire must be performed from memory for the final auditions and concert performance.
3. Applicants should prepare the entire movement or work, though judges may choose to hear only selected portions during the audition.
4. Auditions are not open to the public, parents, or instructors. Judges’ scores and individual comments are not shared with applicants.
5. Accompaniment is required for the in-person audition. If securing an accompanist poses a financial challenge, applicants should contact Ivan Antonov at IAntonov@ThirdStreet.nyc by October 15, 2025 for assistance.
6. NOTE: audition and performance dates cannot be rescheduled.
Winners and Performance
1. A panel of internal and external judges will select up to four winners, including one Young Artist Winner (ages 12 and under).
2. The number of winners may vary depending on audition results and other factors.
3. Winners will be required to attend weekly rehearsals in preparation for the Concerto Concert.
4. Additional commitments may include photography sessions, interviews, and other promotional activities.
Concerto Competition Winners Concert
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Symphony Space Peter Jay Sharp Theatre
Questions about the Third Street Concerto Competition
Contact Ivan Antonov, IAntonov@ThirdStreet.nyc, 212-777-3240 ext.11
Third Street Concerto Competition Past Winners
Performing - Mozart Concerto for Flute and Orchestra No. 2 in D major, K. 314 I. Allegro aperto
Adam Bueno, from Brooklyn, fell in love with the flute when he was eight years old after hearing a performance of a flautist playing Mozart.
Adam has studied with Ms. Frances Brodeur since 2016. Now a senior at the Special Music School (SMS) High School in Manhattan,
Adam has been involved with ISO at Third Street since 2021 and is currently the principal flautist of the ISO at Third Street Symphonic Band, under the direction of Mr. Paul Corn.
He also participated in “Kids on Stage” with The New York Pops and was selected for a conducting apprenticeship in 2024. Adam attended French Woods for the Performing Arts in Hancock, NY, for three summers and is a proud Eagle Scout with Troop 187 in Brooklyn.
Adam enjoys archery, camping, Broadway musicals, Gilbert and Sillivan, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. This fall, Adam is planning to study electrical engineering and is looking forward to continuing to play his flute with the university orchestra.
Performing - Walton Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in A minor I. Andante comodo
Anna Koontz started playing viola at the age of ten and has studied with Elise Frawley for seven years. She has been part of the ISO at Third Street community since 2018 and is currently principal violist of the ISO at Third Street Symphony Orchestra.
For the past two summers, Anna participated in the Lyra Music Festival, developing a love for chamber music. In 2024, she performed under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel as a member of the New York Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Anna is a senior at the Bronx High School of Science. She enjoys helping out in her school garden, writing for her school newspaper, and exploring New York City with her friends.
Performing - Haydn Divertimento in C major, Hob. XIV: 3 I. Allegro moderato
Ella Legasto is a 3rd grader at PS 340 and has been part of the Third Street community since 2021, studying piano with Yvonne Lau.
She has previously played at Symphony Space as part of Third Street’s Eda McFarlane Clark Piano Certificate Program, receiving High Honors. Ella has also won first place in the American Protege International Music Talent Competition and was invited to play Burgmuller’s Ballade, Op. 100, No. 15 at Carnegie Hall.
Ella has been a recipient of the Royal Conservatory of Music State Award for New York for the past two years.
In 2023, Ella began studying violin with Chiu-Chen Liu and recently joined Third Street Overture Orchestra with conductor Steven Rochen. Her favorite part of learning music is getting to perform with other musicians. Beyond her love of music, she enjoys playing with her friends, ice skating, reading mystery novels, and eating soup dumplings.
Performing - Kabalevsky Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 1 in G minor, Op. 49 I. Allegro
Hannah Lyons was born and raised in NYC. She started playing cello with Jane Pae at Silver Music when she was 6 years old. During middle school, she studied with Margalit Cantor at the Bloomingdale School of Music. She is currently a student of Alex Croxton at the School for Strings.
Hannah has spent three summers playing chamber music at the Berkshire Summer Music camp in Massachusetts. She began to play with the ISO at Third Street Symphony Orchestra in 2023 and is now the principal cellist.
Hannah is a junior at the Geneva School of Manhattan, and takes voice lessons at the Geneva Conservatory of Music. In her free time, she enjoys baking, crocheting, thrifting, and playing board games with her two younger brothers.
