Sigma Alpha Iota Competition

The Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. Competition rotates annually among the three departments, in 2025 the competition will be held within the Instrumental Program. Winner receives $1,000 and performs as soloist with the Music School Festival Orchestra in the summer of 2026.

Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies Guidelines 2025: 

Participation in the SAI Concerto Competition is not required, but is highly encouraged. The competition will be in three rounds throughout the first three weeks of the program.

Preliminary Round 
Week One 
Unaccompanied and private 
10 minutes total of chosen selection 

Semifinals Round 
Week Two 
8 students, accompanied and open to the public 
10 minutes total of chosen selection (this includes piano) 

Finals Round 
Week Three 
5 students, accompanied and open to the public 
Entire piece 

Note: Accompanists will only be involved in the semi and final rounds. In the preliminary and semi rounds students will only need to perform up to a maximum of 10 minutes duration from sections selected at the student’s discretion.  It is anticipated, but not mandatory, that most candidates will perform from memory. In the final round, students will be expected to know and perform the entire work.    

Judges will be selected from faculty members of the Chautauqua School of Music and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.