NIU Logo Northern Illinois University
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Office of External Programs

  1. Office of External Programs
  2. Community School of the Arts
  3. Sinfonia Concerto Competition

Sinfonia Concerto Competition

Application deadline: Oct. 20, 2025
Competition date: Nov. 8, 2025
Application fee: $75

Linc Smelser directs the CSA Sinfonia, a full youth orchestra performing varied and exciting repertoire in NIU's Boutell Memorial Concert Hall every year since 1999. The Sinfonia Concerto Competition began in 2000.

  • This competition is open to students who are 18 years of age or younger and live within 75 miles of DeKalb.
  • Auditioning musicians are not required to be members of CSA Sinfonia youth orchestra.
  • The winner will perform the concerto with the CSA Sinfonia at the Spring concert and receive a $200 prize presented at the concert.

Apply to audition today

Rules and Regulations

  • The music to be performed at the audition must be one movement of a standard solo concerto or an appropriate one-movement composition. All audition music is subject to approval by CSA Sinfonia music director Linc Smelser.
  • The time limit for an audition is eight minutes. This time limit will be strictly enforced, and exceptions will not be allowed. If the concerto is longer than eight minutes, you may either make cuts or end the piece at an appropriate place within the time limit. If you make cuts, be sure to note them in the judges' music.
  • Audition selections must be memorized.
  • All auditions must be performed with accompaniment. Each competitor is responsible for his or her own piano accompanist. Our office provides a list of pianists who might be available to provide accompaniment.
  • Bring the original music plus two photocopies of the music to the audition for the judges.
  • Once a musician has won the CSA Concerto Competition, they may not compete again on the same instrument.
  • Due to the increased cost of rental music, we are unable to accept applications with works that are not available for purchase or are not in the public domain.

We look forward to receiving your application. You will receive your assigned audition time and an invoice for the audition fee soon after the application deadline. If you have any questions, contact our office at 815-753-1450.

Cecilia O'Malley (Violin) 2024–2025 Winner

Cecilia O'Malley, 16, is an accomplished violinist, cellist, and pianist who began her musical studies at the age of two. An avid performer and competitor, Cecilia has received awards from the Society of American Musicians, Robert Stanger Concerto Competition, Rockford Young Artist Competition, Walgreen's National Concerto Competition, Lakeview Concerto Competition, Minnesota Orchestra's YPSCA Competition, Confucius Fine Arts Competition, and the Oistrakh Concerto Festival on both violin and cello. In 2022, Cecilia was selected as a state representative in the MTNA West Central Competition, ultimately advancing to the finalist in the National Conference on violin. The following year she competed as a cellist and advanced again to the MTNA National Finals held in Reno, Nevada. Since her 'l debut with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra on violin, she has also soloed with the Minnesota Sinfonia and the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Cecilia has garnered first place at the Rembrandt Chamber Players Competition, the Glass City Chamber Competition, and Chicago's National Chamber Competition, as well as second place at the Barnett Chamber Competition and the Enkor International Chamber Competition. Currently, she is the concertmaster of Midwest Young Artists Conservatory's Symphony Orchestra. In the upcoming months, Cecilia will be featured as a soloist in performances with the Black Hills Symphony, Oistrakh Symphony, the Lakeview Symphony Orchestra, and the Highland Park Strings Orchestra.

Cecilia has spent her summers at the Black Oak Ensemble's Cordes en Gascogne Festival in France and studying with the professors at the Meadowmount Institute of Music. She is privileged to study with Professor Gerardo Ribeiro of Northwestern University on violin, Dr. Tanya Carey of Roosevelt University on cello, and Ms. Tatyana Stepanova on piano. In her free time, Cecilia enjoys reading 1800s British literature, studying French, watching Hollywood Golden Age movies, and spending time with her dog, Jack!

Contact Us

College of Visual and Performing Arts
Office of External Programs
Music Building 132

Kristin Sherman
815-753-1450
ksherman2@niu.edu

Join Our CSA Mailing List

Online Office Hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(lunch from noon – 1 p.m.)

Connect with us on