Oberlin, OH

Cooper competition: how to prepare

Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition screens applicants before any live round. Yes. A video preliminary round selects a small field for live rounds at Oberlin, culminating in concerto finals with orchestra. The fastest way to know your take is at standard is to score it on the same five dimensions a panel listens for, before you ever hit submit.

Score your prescreen takeFirst take is free. No signup, no card.

Recorded round

Yes. A video preliminary round selects a small field for live rounds at Oberlin, culminating in concerto finals with orchestra.

Who it is for

Pre-college players (the violin years are roughly ages 13 to 18); the competition alternates between violin and piano.

Repertoire

For violin, typically a Bach movement, a Paganini caprice, and a first movement of a major concerto. The exact list changes each cycle.

Worth knowing

A strong video prelim is the gate to playing a concerto with orchestra in the finals.

Eligibility, repertoire, and dates change every cycle. Always confirm the current, official rules before you prepare: Cooper official site

Frequently asked

Does the Cooper competition use a recorded or video round?

Yes. A video preliminary round selects a small field for live rounds at Oberlin, culminating in concerto finals with orchestra.

Who can enter the Cooper competition?

Pre-college players (the violin years are roughly ages 13 to 18); the competition alternates between violin and piano. Eligibility can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site.

What repertoire does Cooper require?

For violin, typically a Bach movement, a Paganini caprice, and a first movement of a major concerto. The exact list changes each cycle. Always confirm the exact, current requirements on the official page.

How can I practice my Cooper prescreen recording?

Record your prescreen excerpt on Orchestra Kingdom and get an Advance, Callback, or Not Yet verdict with scores on tone, intonation, rhythm, tempo, and musicality, the same dimensions a panel weighs, before you submit. Your first take is free, no signup.

Send your Cooper video knowing it is your best take.

Record your prescreen excerpt. The panel returns your verdict plus five-dimension scores. First take is free, no signup.

Face the panel

Other string competitions

See all string competitions

Cooper competition: how to prepare

Score your prescreen takeFirst take is free. No signup, no card.

Recorded round

Yes. A video preliminary round selects a small field for live rounds at Oberlin, culminating in concerto finals with orchestra.

Who it is for

Pre-college players (the violin years are roughly ages 13 to 18); the competition alternates between violin and piano.

Repertoire

For violin, typically a Bach movement, a Paganini caprice, and a first movement of a major concerto. The exact list changes each cycle.

Worth knowing

A strong video prelim is the gate to playing a concerto with orchestra in the finals.

Eligibility, repertoire, and dates change every cycle. Always confirm the current, official rules before you prepare: Cooper official site

Frequently asked

Does the Cooper competition use a recorded or video round?

Yes. A video preliminary round selects a small field for live rounds at Oberlin, culminating in concerto finals with orchestra.

Who can enter the Cooper competition?

Pre-college players (the violin years are roughly ages 13 to 18); the competition alternates between violin and piano. Eligibility can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site.

What repertoire does Cooper require?

How can I practice my Cooper prescreen recording?

Send your Cooper video knowing it is your best take.

Record your prescreen excerpt. The panel returns your verdict plus five-dimension scores. First take is free, no signup.

Face the panel