Application Deadline: Nov. 14

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and The National Association for Music Education (MENC), is pleased to announce its annual concerto competition for high school musicians. The winner(s) will appear as a guest soloist with the U.S. Marine Band and receive a $2,500 prize from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

Who is Eligible?
The 2010 competition is open to high school musicians (grades 9-12) enrolled during the 2009-2010 academic year. Performers of woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments may apply. Previous competition winners and immediate family members of U.S. Marine Band members and are not eligible.

Where Do I Get an Application?
Click here to download a PDF of the application packet.

Application Guidelines
Applicants must select one of the works listed for their instrument in the application packet and submit an audio recording of their performance of that selection accompanied by piano, band, or orchestra. A complete list of guidelines is included in the application packet. Applications must be postmarked by Nov. 14, 2009, and mailed to the following address:

MENC
Attn: The Marine Band Concerto Competition
1806 Robert Fulton Drive
Reston, VA 20191

Applications mailed directly to the Marine Band cannot be accepted.

Final Round
Based on the application materials, finalists will be selected and invited to Washington, D.C., to compete in a final round that will be open to the public. All finalists will be notified by Jan. 1, 2010. The finals will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C. Finalists will perform the same selection submitted with their application materials.

The Marine Band will provide a pianist to accompany each contestant for the final round. Contestants will have the option to be coached by a Marine Band soloist during their rehearsal with the pianist (see 2010 Timeline in the application packet).

The winner(s) will be invited to perform their solo selection in concert with the Marine Band in the Washington, D.C. area, during the 2010 concert season and will receive a cash prize of $2,500. Travel will be provided for the winner(s) and one guardian for the final performance in Washington, D.C.

For additional information about the competition, please call the Marine Band Public Affairs Office at (202) 433-5809.

More Questions?

Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page for help answering any other questions you might have about the competition.

Click here to listen to flutist Jennifer Zhou's performance with the Marine Band of Theobald Boehm's Grand Polonaise in D, Opus 16, on April 26, 2009. Zhou was the 2009 Marine Band Concerto Competition winner.

Pictured above 2008 Marine Band Concerto Competition Winners oboist Timothy Gocklin of Manchester, N.H. (top left) and tuba player Ibanda Ruhumbika of Athens, Ga. (Bottom), and 2009 winner Jennifer Zhou of Columbus, Ohio
(top right).

2008 Marine Band Concerto Competition Finalists.