2010 - Twelfth Annual Jean L. Petitt Memorial Music Scholarship Competition

Rules and Requirements:

The competition is open to instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers up to age 18. Applicants must be current residents and currently attend school in one of the following Ohio counties: Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Summit, Medina or Lorain.

The competition will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2010, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., in room 177 East Education Center on the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Eastern Campus. Competition times will be assigned and applicants will be notified by email or phone.

The winner of the competition must be willing and able to perform a solo with The Cleveland Pops Orchestra during one of its Severance Hall concert, as determined by Conductor Carl Topilow. A cash prize of $500 will also be awarded. If, for any reason, the winner is unable to perform, the scholarship will be forfeited and awarded to the runner-up. The winner must also be prepared and available to rehearse with the orchestra at times designated by the music director.

Written permission and approval from the applicant’s parent or legal guardian must accompany the application.

Applicants must be prepared to perform a suitable piece from musical theater, big band, swing, jazz or light classics. It is important for the applicant and his/her instructor to choose music that is appropriate to, and that would be performed by,  a symphonic pops orchestra (not a classical symphony orchestra). Failure to select the proper music could reduce the applicant's score and negatively affect the chance of winning the competition. The audition piece is to be no more than ten minutes in length. The selection, to be performed by the winner in a Severance Hall concert, is subject to the approval Carl Topilow, conductor of The Cleveland Pops Orchestra. It is the responsibility of the winner to make sure that the piece to be performed can be played by the orchestra and that arrangements for full orchestra are available from the publisher.. No recorded music will be used in the live concert.

The Cleveland Pops Orchestra will not provide an accompanist at the competition. The contestant must provide for his/her own accompanist, if one is required. The contestant must perform the piece from memory. The contestant cannot read from a score during the competition.

The decision of the judges is final. Judges reserve the right to withhold prizes if no contestants are deemed qualified to win the scholarship.

Applications must be received by Friday, November 29, 2010. No entry will be accepted after the deadline. The signed application and letter of permission and approval from the applicant’s parent or guardian should be mailed to:

Jean L. Petitt Memorial Music Scholarship Competition
The Cleveland Pops Orchestra
24000 Mercantile Road, Unit 8
Cleveland, Ohio 44122

Phone: (216) 765-7677

Return to Scholarship Information.

Click here to print a pdf version of the competition rules and requirements