Our Competitions

Concerto Competition

The Concerto Competition looks for distinction in solo performance across the Harvard musical community of undergraduates. The 2023-2024 Concerto Competition has concluded, with Dylan Wu ‘26 playing the winning performance of Schumann’s Cello Concerto in Am. Information from this year’s competition is available below for reference — please check back in early October 2024 for details about the 2024-2025 competition!

Composition Competition

The Bach Society Orchestra's Composition Competition celebrates greatness in composition in the Harvard undergraduate body. The 2023-2024 Composition Competition has concluded, with the judges selecting the winning piece, Life Cycle of a Galaxy, composed by Kieran Chung ‘27. We hope all undergraduate composers will consider applying in the 2024-2025 season, and this year’s guidelines are included below for reference.

Previous Winners

Concerto

  • 2024 - Dylan Wu ‘26, Schumann Cello Concerto in A minor

  • 2023 - Enoch Li ‘26, Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major K.218

  • 2017 - Martine Thomas '18, Hindemith Der Schwanendreher for Viola and Orchestra

  • 2016 - Bennett Parsons '18, Copland Clarinet Concerto

  • 2015 - Aristo Sham '19, Chopin Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, Op. 11

  • 2014 - Allan Yuan '15, Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 "The Emperor"

  • 2013 - Stella Chen '15 and Jacob Shack '14, Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola

  • 2012 - George Fu '13, Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, S. 124

  • 2011 - Lucien Werner '13, Shostakovich Cello Concerto No.1 in E flat major, Op. 107

  • 2010 - Keir GoGwilt '13, Beethoven Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61

  • 2009 - Stephanie Brinton Parker '10 and Lindsey Brinton '12, Poulenc Double Piano Concerto

  • 2008 - Alexander Bernstein '10, Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major

  • 2007 - Charlie Albright '11, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

  • 2006 - Nora Bartosik '08, Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16

  • 2005 - Ariel Jeong '07, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

  • 2004 - Brad Balliet '05, Mozart Bassoon Concerto in B flat major K.191/186e

  • 2003 - Wei-Jen Yuan '06, Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16

  • 2002 - Katherine Chen '06, Chopin Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, Op. 11

  • 2001 - Peter Anderegg '04, Shostakovich Cello Concerto No.1 in E flat major, Op. 107

Composition

  • 2024 - Kieran Chung ‘27, Life Cycle of a Galaxy

  • 2017 - Victoria Tong '20, Variations: Coming Home

  • 2016 - Brandon Snyder '18, The Give and Take

  • 2015 - Auburn Lee '17, Piano Concerto Op.1

  • 2014 - Sam Wu '17, Europa

  • 2013 - Lydia Winsor Brindamour '14, not now, not only

  • 2012 - Danielle Rabinowitz '14, Animus, A Symphonic Poem

  • 2011 - Zachary Sheets '13, Kaleidoscopes

  • 2010 - David Johnson '11, Inquietude

  • 2009 - Zachary Sheets '13, Nightclub Scenes

  • 2008 - Matthew Mendez '09, Two Serious Songs

  • 2007 - Elizabeth Lim '08, Night Dance Ritual

  • 2006 - Matthew Mendez '09, Concertino for Small Orchestra (In Three Movements)

  • 2005 - Derrick Wang '06, Sonatina

  • 2004 - Brad Balliett '05, Mass for Orchestra

  • 2003 - Carson Cooman '04, Desiring the Solicitude of Rain

  • 2002 - Ben Greene '06, Azura Rising

  • 2001 - Brad Balliett '05, Kaleidoscope Night