DANLI LIANG 2011 First Place Hot Shots Winner Read her bio here.
	ADRIAN LIU 2011 Second Place Hot Shots Winner Read his bio here.

GUIDELINES FOR SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY'S "HOT SHOTS" YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION

THE INVITATION

The San Diego Symphony is pleased to announce its annual "HOT SHOTS" competition for young artists. We seek young pianists and instrumentalists of exceptional talent. San Diego Symphony does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, ethnicity, or physical disabilities. All judges’ decisions are final and shall not be disputed.

Applicants will be judged on:

• Technical excellence
• Musicality
• Stage presence

In addition to the possibility of performing with the San Diego Symphony, the winner will receive a monetary prize donated by the Advocates for Classical Music.

 Download Application 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must:

• be 18 years of age or younger by June 1, 2012.
• be a full-time resident and attend school in San Diego County.
• play a standard orchestral instrument (piano, saxophone, harp and classical guitar are acceptable).
• be recommended by his/her private music teacher.
• not be a previous winner of this competition.

Soloists on multi-instrument concertos (for example, a double or triple concerto) must all meet these criteria and will be judged as a unit.

REPERTOIRE

Audition piece must be:

• no longer than fifteen (15) minutes.* Only one movement shall be played if from a multi-movement work.
• a standard, obtainable, orchestral work.
• the same piece performed on the concert.
  *Approval for longer pieces may be obtained from SDS Administration by calling Adrienne Valencia, Director of Education, at 619.615.3911.

TIMELINE

• Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 5:00 pm: Deadline for application packet with DVD to be received.
• Monday, March 12, 2012: Finalists are notified.
• Sunday, March 18, 2012 beginning at 5:00pm: Finalists audition onstage at Copley Symphony Hall. 
     - Winner(s) are announced that evening directly following the judges’ deliberation. 
     - Winner(s) may be invited to perform at Copley Symphony Hall with the San Diego Symphony in the 2012-2013 season.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Audition packets will be accepted until 5:00pm Thursday, March 8, 2012.
• Audition packet includes: 
   - Unedited, labeled DVD of your performance
   - Completed application form
   - Letter of recommendation from your private music teacher
   - Proof of birth date and residency

• DVD sleeve or case must be labeled with the following information: Applicant name, age, title of piece, movement, and composer.
• Applicants must provide their own pianist to accompany them on the DVD as well as at the finalist live auditions. Teachers may accompany their students.
• All applicants are responsible for checking the quality of their DVD before submitting it to the committee.

Mail or hand carry to:
Adrienne Valencia, Director of Education & Outreach
c/o San Diego Symphony
1245 7th Avenue
San Diego, CA  92101

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING TO ENSURE THE BEST VIDEO POSSIBLE

• Make sure the camera is focused clearly on the applicant.
• Microphone/camera placement should ensure that the soloist is clearly audible.

Please direct all questions to Adrienne Valencia, Director of Education & Outreach.
Tel:  619.615.3911
E-mail:  avalencia@sandiegosymphony.org.