GOALS

Pursuing a musical career is a strenuous process and there are no shortcuts. Musicians practice with endless effort to master each passing note with precision and musicality. It is through this effort they make the world a more beautiful and better place to live.

However, many musicians find it quite difficult to find opportunities to showcase their talent, accomplishments and passion. Limitations such as geographical location, educational accessibility, and financial constraints can severely discourage the development of musical skill.

The 5th annual Silverstein Clarinet Contest has returned to show our appreciation while providing clarinetists a global stage to present their music without such limitations. In doing so, we hope this contest can help increase wide-spread interest in clarinet music. With this event, we want to recognize any and all clarinetists, indiscriminately, whosoever possess the potential to shape the future of the clarinet. 

This event is hosted by many world-renowned artists from around the globe who are leaders in today’s clarinet society. These artists have generously volunteered their time and expertise to come together as judges for this contest. Without their support and effort, this event would not be possible. You can find a full list of the jurors at this PAGE

RULES &
GUIDELINES

THE 1ST ROUND

GENERAL RULES:

  1. Only one entry per contestant with Bb or Bass clarinet.
  2. All contestants must register via this Application Form
  3. Only solo works, works accompanied by piano will be accepted.
  4. Winners of previous Silverstein Global Clarinet Contest are not eligible.
  5. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 pm on May 20th, 2023, EST.
  6. These rules may be changed without prior notice or consent.

VIDEO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  1. Videos must be submitted using the official Application Form
  2. Video resolution must be 1024 x 768 or higher, and must be in landscape mode. File name must be: first name+last name+birthday. (example: johndoe12312001.xxx).
  3. Maximum upload file size is 1GB.
  4. Video must begin with a verbal introductory statement by the contestant with name, age, date of recording, occupation, and title of the musical selection. 
  5. Performer should be centered in the video frame with the entire face, hands, and instrument visible at all times. The video must clearly show the torso of the contestant, the clarinet, and finger movement. 
  6. Video must be recorded in one continuous shot with no breaks, cuts, or edits of any type. Edited videos will be immediately disqualified without notice to the contestant. If editing is discovered after the awarding process completes, the award will be forfeited.
  7. Entire length of the video must be under 20 minutes in total, including the introductory statement.
  8. To maintain a high standard of the contest, the application page may be closed if an excessive number of applications is received. For this reason, we encourage everyone to start the application as soon as possible even before preparing a video file which can be added to the application later on.
  9. An example of an acceptable video can be found HERE.
  10. Silverstein Works reserves the right to remove or disqualify any video submission for any reason at our sole discretion.
  11. Video submissions must be new, previously unreleased or publicly distributed recordings.
  12. Contestants may not use video submitted to the Silverstein Clarinet Contest for any other personal or professional purpose, until the final results of this event are officially announced. 
  13. For communication purposes, We encourage all contestants to follow the Silverstein Works Facebook page, the Clarinet Contest Facebook page, the Silverstein Works Instagram account and Youtube Channel.

REPERTOIRE for Bb Clarinet

A repertoire must be chosen from the following selections:

JUNIOR DIVISION REPERTOIRE (Choose One):

  1. G. Donizetti: Studio Primo for Clarinet Solo (~5min.)
  1. B. Martinů: Clarinet Sonatina, H.356 (About 11 min)

SENIOR DIVISION REPERTOIRE (Choose One):

  1. V. Bucchi: Concerto for Clarinet Solo (~5min.)
  1. C. Debussy: Première rhapsodie (~9min.)

REPERTOIRE for Bass Clarinet

A repertoire must be chosen from the following selections:

JUNIOR DIVISION 2ND ROUND REPERTOIRE (Choose One):

  1. Bass clarinet solo:  Adolf Busch    “Suite op 37”  for solo bass clarinet, first movement   “Andante tranquillo”
  1. Bass clarinet and piano :   Eugene Bozza “Ballade”  for bass clarinet and piano

SENIOR DIVISION REPERTOIRE (Choose One):

  1. Bass clarinet solo: Erland Von Koch  “Monolog Nr 3” for solo bass clarinet
  1. Bass clarinet and  piano: Yvonne Desportes “Andante et allegro”  for bass clarinet and piano

ELIGIBILITY

SENIOR DIVISION

  • The senior division contest is open to Bb and Bass clarinetists of any variety or nationality.
  • Contestant must be 19 years of age or older as of April 1st, 2023. Contestants must provide proof of age, if and when requested by Silverstein Works.
  • A Grand Prize winner must have valid documents to travel to Ireland if the winner chooses the travel option to ICA ClarinetFest 2024.

JUNIOR DIVISION

  • The junior division competition is open to Bb and Bass clarinetists of any variety or nationality.
  • The junior division contest is open to those under 19 years of age as of April 1st, 2023.

PRIZES

SENIOR DIVISION

GRAND PRIZE

  1. Round trip airfare to visit ICA Clarinetfest 2024 in Ireland. Or $1,000 cash, if the winner opts out of travel to ICA. An opportunity to perform on the Silverstein Concert stage at ICA ClarinetFest 2024 (Accommodation is not included, Silverstein may cancel the event and pay the cash rewards)
  2. $500 in Silverstein merchandise** (including one-time shipping*)
  3. New Professional model Bb “Allegro” Clarinet sponsored by RZ Woodwind Manufacturing** 

SECOND PLACE

  1. $750 in Silverstein merchandise** (including one-time shipping*)
  2. PCL821 Professional Bb Clarinet by P. Mauriat Musical Instruments** 

THIRD PLACE

$750 in Silverstein merchandise** (including one-time shipping*)

HONORABLE MENTION

$500 in Silverstein merchandise** (including one-time shipping*)

SHINING TALENT AWARD

Selected number of contestants will receive various prizes including  Silverstein Ligatures,  AMBIPOLY reeds , Playnick mouthpiece and various products from our sponsors** (including one-time shipping*)

JUNIOR DIVISION

GRAND PRIZE

  1. $1,000 Scholarship
  2. $500 in Silverstein merchandise* (including one-time shipping1)
  3. New Bb “Conservatory” Clarinet sponsored by RZ Woodwind Manufacturing**

SECOND PLACE:

$1,000 in Silverstein merchandise** (including one-time shipping*)

THIRD PLACE:

$750 in Silverstein merchandise** (including one-time shipping1)

HONORABLE MENTION:

$500 in Silverstein merchandise** (including one-time shipping*)

SHINING TALENT AWARD

Selected number of  contestants will receive various prizes including  Silverstein Ligatures,  AMBIPOLY reeds, Playnick mouthpiece  and various products from our sponsors** (including one-time shipping*)

  1. Winners will be announced on or around 15th of July, 2023.
  2. Winners of the event will be invited to join the Silverstein Works “Next Generation” Program and will receive all benefits of becoming a member of the Silverstein Works Family.
  3. Silverstein Works reserves the right not to choose a grand prize winner for any reason at our discretion.
  4. Silverstein Works reserves the right to post videos of winners on any social media network or website. 

*Shipping and handling included 
*All Silverstein Works merchandise will be shipped together and at one time.
**Winners shall be responsible for any Government tax or import duties if applicable.

HOSTING MEMBERS AND JURORS

All of these artists are voluntarily helping make this event happen.
Without their support and effort, the event would not be possible.

And More Silverstein Pro Team Artists

RESOURCES