Mary Graham Lasley Scholarship Competition – March 26, 2023

The 45th Mary Graham Lasley Scholarship competition, sponsored by the Symphony Orchestra League of Alexandria(SOLA).   The event will be held March 26, 2023, at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Virginia. The deadline for entries is March 11, 2023.

Location: The 2023 MGL competition will be in the music facility at the college Center for Design, Media and the Arts, located at 3301 Netherton Dr., Alexandria VA 22311. Free parking is available.

Guidelines: For strings, winds, piano, and percussion – Each contestant must perform a significant movement of a concerto or work of equal difficulty composed for solo instrument and orchestra accompaniment. Performance time is limited to 15 minutes or less for each contestant. The composition must be performed from memory. Concert dress is required.

The competition is limited to fifteen students, based upon date of receipt of application.

If you have questions, email Sharon Walker at alayne2@mac.com or call (703) 967-2332

Awards: Cash prizes of $2,500, $2,000 and $1,500 will be awarded with the opportunity for one of the winners to be invited to solo with the orchestra or a chamber group at the discretion of the ASO Music Director. Judges will have the option of naming one, two or three winners. Winners will be announced at the close of the competition, and applicants are encouraged to stay for awards ceremony photos.

Application and Fee:

Once submitted, applicants will receive an e-mail to verify submission and then be prompted to submit the $25 application fee. Applicants should be prepared to provide his/her Social Security number on the day of competition in the event of being a winner.

Problems submitting online? Contact Sharon Walker at alayne2@mac.com to request a hard copy application.  

Eligibility: Any current full-time graduate or undergraduate student of music who either: attends any college, university or conservatory in the Commonwealth of Virginia, District of Columbia or State of Maryland OR is a legal resident of Virginia, D.C. or Maryland currently studying elsewhere is eligible. Previous competitors, except first place winners, are eligible. Contestants may not be more than 25 years of age as of March 23, 2022.

Judges to be selected by SOLA Scholarship Committee. Judges’ decisions will be final.

Rules:
1. Composition must be performed from memory.
2. Applicant must provide 3 copies of full score sheet music for judges. Name of competitor, teacher or school may not appear on copies.
3. Contestant must provide his/her own accompanist. Rehearsal rooms will be available prior to performing.
4. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked no later than Saturday, March 11, 2023.