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CRYSTAL BATON COMPOSITION COMPETITION FOR ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Hear the Winning Composition Performed by:
The Canadian Brass & GJSO At our December 12th Symphony Concert

About Crystal Baton

The Crystal Baton Composition Competition is a unique opportunity for elementary and middle school students to compose a simple melody line that will be arranged, orchestrated, and performed by the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra. Entries must be delivered to the Grand Junction Symphony office at 412 Main Street or emailed to amanda@gjso.org by Friday, November 17th, 2023.

Selection of the winning entry will be made by a panel of local music professionals. The winning student will be notified by Monday, November 27th, 2023 and their piece will be performed at the Grand Junction Symphony’s Canadian Brass Holiday concert on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at the Avalon Theatre.

The winner will receive a hand-blown crystal baton, a bound copy of the conductor's score and their piece will be performed at the Grand Junction Symphony's Canadian Brass Holiday performance on Tuesday, December 12th 2023. For more information, please call the Symphony office at 970.243.6787

How to Aply

Melodies should be between 16 and 64 measures in length, be clearly notated, and can be submitted either handwritten on staff paper or composed with computer-aided notation software.
Entries must be delivered to the GJSO office by Friday, November 17th, 2023 (412 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501) or emailed to amanda@gjso.org.A panel consisting of local musicians will select the winning entry. The winning composer will be notified by Monday, November 27th 2023.
Entries must be delivered to the Grand Junction Symphony office at 412 Main Street or emailed to amanda@gjso.org by Friday, November 17th, 2023.
Selection of the winning entry will be made by a panel of local music professionals. The winning student will be notified by Monday, November 27th, 2023 and their piece will be
performed at the Grand Junction Symphony’s Canadian Brass Holiday concert on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at the Avalon Theatre.

Crystal Baton Entry Form

Amanda Batista, pictured above, is the 2022-2023 winner of GJSO’s Young Artist Competition.

Young Artist Competition

Application Deadline: January 1st, 2024 at 11:59pm Mountain Time Zone

Program Information

The Grand Junction Symphony prides itself on selecting the finest artists to perform concerti with the orchestra through its Young Artist Competition each year. The instrument chosen for the competition rotates each year between piano, solo instrument, and voice.

The 2023-2024 competition is for all non-piano orchestral instruments.

The winner or winners from the final round on February 3, 2024 will be offered an opportunity to perform their concerto with the 2024-2025 season as soloist with the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra. Dates, times, and repertoire are to be determined depending on the schedules of the soloist and orchestra.

Apply Online - Young Artist Competition

Prizes

For the competition finalists:
* 1st Prize – Total package $3000 USD, and an engagement to perform the winning concerto with the GJSO.  (Winner will receive $1500 on day of competition finals, plus a $1500 contract to perform in the 2024-25 season, plus airfare and accommodations.)
* 2nd Prize – $750 USD
* 3rd Prize – $500 USD
* Audience Choice – $250 USD
(Final Round will be held in person in Grand Junction, Colorado, February 3, 2024.)

Winner/winners will be offered soloist contracts for the 2024-2025 season.
Fee, performance date, and repertoire to be determined by May 2024.

Total Prize Money
$4,500 | 4 prizes

Contact Information
Please feel free to contact Music Director, Charles Latshaw, with any questions.
clatshaw@gjso.org
970-243-6787

Student Tickets

ARE YOU A STUDENT OF ANY AGE?

Student ticket pricing for all Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra concerts is only $5! Choose “student” during online checkout, or contact the GJSO box office at 970-243-6787.

Purchase Tickets

Link Up: The Orchestra Rocks

One universal element of music is rhythm. Composers and musicians play with elements of musical time, creating patterns of sound and silence that are expressive and exciting. A consistent groove can unite musicians, singers, and audiences in an experience of listening and performing together. Through the Link Up repertoire, hands-on activities, and a culminating interactive performance with a professional orchestra, we will discover how the orchestra rocks.