The Doreen B. Hertzog Concerto & Aria Competition for Young Artists
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History
The Doreen B. Hertzog Concerto/Aria Competition originated as a program of the Elmira Symphony and Choral Society, known as the Young Artists’ Competition that began in the late 1960s. It was later renamed in honor of one of its founders, Doreen B. Hertzog. The merged successor of the Elmira Symphony and Corning Philharmonic, now known as the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, has continued the competition since its formation in 1995. Designed to showcase the finest young musicians, the Hertzog Competition is a vehicle for the OSFL to nurture and support talented young performers throughout the region, from Rochester, NY to Mansfield, PA and beyond. |
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Award and Eligibility
The 2026 Doreen B. Hertzog Competition winner will perform one movement of a concerto or aria with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes during the 2026-27 Season. Students in grades 9 through 12 are eligible to audition. Eligible instruments are: piano, strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and voice.
The Audition
Hertzog Competition auditions are very competitive; only one student will be selected to perform with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, and the judges may, at their discretion, decide not to select a winner. The decision of the judges is final.
The 2026 Doreen B. Hertzog Competition winner will perform one movement of a concerto or aria with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes during the 2026-27 Season. Students in grades 9 through 12 are eligible to audition. Eligible instruments are: piano, strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and voice.
The Audition
- Preliminary Round
Contestants will submit a good quality audio recording, performing one movement from a concerto or aria with accompaniment. Recordings should not exceed ten minutes; movements of longer duration must be cut appropriately. Format should be MP3 audio only. No video recordings please. The deadline for 2026 applications is April 27, 2026. - Final Round
A maximum of 10 contestants will be selected for the final round, to be held in-person. The final round will take place on May 30, 2026. Contestants will perform the same movement as submitted in the preliminary round, from memory. It is mandatory that each student bring his or her own piano accompanist; the OSFL will not provide an accompanist to contestants.
Hertzog Competition auditions are very competitive; only one student will be selected to perform with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, and the judges may, at their discretion, decide not to select a winner. The decision of the judges is final.
Apply to be the next Hertzog Competition Winner!
The deadline for 2026 applications is April 27, 2026.
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Step 1: Submit your audio-only recording.
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Step 2: Submit your application
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Step 3: Pay your application fee of $35.
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Congratulations to our 2025 Winner!
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Ashley Park is a 14-year-old violinist from Ithaca, New York, USA. She is a freshman at Ithaca High School and is an avid member of its music program. Currently, she studies with violinist YooJin Jang, a faculty member at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester.
First introduced to the violin at 5 years old, Ashley has since loved to play the instrument and has won awards in several competitions, including the Charleston International Music Competition, American Virtuoso International Music Competition, Ensemble 212, Camerata Artists International Competition, STMTA Music Competition, International Grande Music Competition, Vivo International Music Competition, Venusto Korea Music Competition, Sung-Jung Music Competition, Haneum Music Competition, and Korea Times Competition. Through Eastman Community Music School, Ashley has recently received masterclasses from Juliana Athayde, Janet Sung, Robin Scott, and Timothy Peters. In 2024, she attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival and will return in 2025. |
Past Winners
2024
Jocelyn Hsu, harp
Dances for Harp and String Orchestra, “Danse Sacrée et Danse Profane” (Claude Debussy)
Austin Vitello, bassoon
Bassoon Concerto in E Minor, RV 484, Mvmt. 1 (Antonio Vivaldi)
Dances for Harp and String Orchestra, “Danse Sacrée et Danse Profane” (Claude Debussy)
Austin Vitello, bassoon
Bassoon Concerto in E Minor, RV 484, Mvmt. 1 (Antonio Vivaldi)
2023
Riley Hubisz, flute
Concertino for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 8 (Otar Gordeli)
Concertino for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 8 (Otar Gordeli)
2022
Isabel Metz, violin
Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, Mvmt. 1 (Mendelssohn)
Runner-up: Claire Russell, double bass
A Carmen Fantasy (Frank Proto)
Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, Mvmt. 1 (Mendelssohn)
Runner-up: Claire Russell, double bass
A Carmen Fantasy (Frank Proto)
2020-2021
Christopher Tillen, piano
Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18, Mvmt. 1 (Rachmaninoff)
Nikhil Lahiri, oboe
Oboe Concerto in C Minor (Marcello)
Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18, Mvmt. 1 (Rachmaninoff)
Nikhil Lahiri, oboe
Oboe Concerto in C Minor (Marcello)
2019
No Winner Selected
2018
Sophia Werner, violin
Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, Mvmt. 1 (Mendelssohn)
Runner-up: Neha Kudva, tuba
Tuba Concerto, Mvmt. 1 (Gregson)
Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, Mvmt. 1 (Mendelssohn)
Runner-up: Neha Kudva, tuba
Tuba Concerto, Mvmt. 1 (Gregson)
2017
Raymond Feng, piano
Piano Concerto in E Minor (Chopin)
Runner-up: Elyse Bell, soprano
Exsultate, Jubilate, Laudate Dominum (Mozart)
Piano Concerto in E Minor (Chopin)
Runner-up: Elyse Bell, soprano
Exsultate, Jubilate, Laudate Dominum (Mozart)
2016
Jonathan Fenwick, violin
Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 61, Mvmt. 3 (Saint-Saëns)
Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 61, Mvmt. 3 (Saint-Saëns)
2015
Miranda Werner, violin
Zigeunerweisen (Sarasante)
Zigeunerweisen (Sarasante)
2014
I-hao Cheng, violin
2013
Annie Jacobs-Perkins, cello
