Eligibility
The Competition is international in scope and accepts up to 30 musicians. Instrumentalists cannot be older than 32, and vocalists cannot be older than 35 on the day of the Competition. Contestants cannot have a manager or agent.
Required Application Materials
Each contestant must submit a completed application form and online payment by 11:59 p.m. on January 15, 2027. Early Registration must be submitted by December 18, 2026.
- Completed application and housing form.
- Two letters of recommendation, which may be sent electronically.
- A résumé and a brief biography of 90 to 110 words highlighting history of study, honors, solo performances, reviews and programs.
- One color photo suitable for music publication.
- A complete mp3 recording, such as all concerto movements, of the music planned for the competition. The selection should be a minimum of 15 minutes. Include the title or titles and composer’s name, but do not include information that identifies the contestant by name or photo. The selection must be written for the contestant’s instrument and full orchestra. The recording may have piano or orchestra accompaniment, but only piano accompaniment will be used during the competition. The preliminary judge will use the recording to limit the field to 30 contestants. Recordings will not be returned.
- Online payment to the St. Cecilia Society for the $75 US registration fee, plus $200 US ($275 US total) when requesting a St. Cecilia Society accompanist. Applicants not accepted into the competition will have the $200 US fee and music score returned. The $200 fee includes a one-hour practice session with the accompanist on the day before the competition. Upload a copy of the music with the application when requesting the Society accompanist. An accompanist cannot be guaranteed after February 4 of the competition year. The application deadline is on the application form.
- Early Byrd registration is $60 US. The accompanist fee is $200 US.
Contestants will be notified of the preliminary-round results by the first week of February.
Auditions
- Auditions will be held throughout the day on Saturday, March 6, 2027, beginning at 8:00 a.m. (times may vary). Contestants will be known to the judges only by number. Bring a store-purchased score or library copy for the judges to use during the audition. The music will be returned following the audition. Auditions are open to the public.
- Audition times and contestant numbers will be sent with acceptance letters.
- Contestants must memorize and be prepared to perform all selected music, such as a complete concerto.
- Five finalists will be selected at the close of the auditions. The finals will be held the same day beginning at 7:00 p.m. and will be open to the public at no cost. Finalists will be introduced by name to the judges and audience at the conclusion of the awards presentation.
- The finals are presented as a formal program. Contestants selected for the finals should wear appropriate attire and be prepared to perform their entire music selection.
Judges
A preliminary judge limits the field to no more than 30 contestants after reviewing the recorded performances. A jury of three distinguished musicians will serve as judges at the auditions and final competition. The judges’ decision is final. If a contestant has studied with or had close professional or personal ties with a judge, that judge will recuse themselves, and the other two judges’ scores will be averaged for the third score.
Prizes
- The Gold Prize winner will receive $8,000 and must sign a contract to appear with the Flint Symphony Orchestra. The St. Cecilia Society will present $4,000 immediately after the competition. The remaining $4,000 will be awarded after the Flint Symphony Orchestra performance. Failure to fulfill this engagement will result in forfeiture of the remaining $4,000. A Gold Prize winner is not eligible to return for future competitions.
- A Silver Prize of $4,000 will be awarded. If the Gold Prize winner cannot perform with the orchestra, the Silver Prize winner will be invited to fulfill the engagement and will be paid $4,000 for the performance.
- The Bronze Prize winner will receive $2,500, and the other finalists will receive $1,000 each.
IRS requirement: All prize winners must complete the appropriate Internal Revenue Service forms to receive their prize. For questions, see our Frequently Asked Questions.
General Information
The check-in desk will be open from noon to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2027, and at 6:45 a.m. on Saturday. Times may vary. Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and dinner at 5:30 p.m. will be served free of charge to all contestants and accompanists. Finalists will be announced at dinner.
Housing with volunteers will be available. Requests should be made with the application. Contestants who prefer a hotel may contact the Holiday Inn Express of Flint/College and Cultural Center at 810.238.7744. The hotel is located two blocks from the Dort Music Center.
Byrd Competition contact:
Townes Osborn Miller, Chairman
810.232.3531
chairman@ByrdArtists.com
