A District 5330 Vocational Service Program
Music Competition
Recognizing outstanding young vocal and instrumental performers across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Mentorship through music
The District 5330 Music Competition celebrates the talent, discipline, and craft of high-school musicians across our communities. Like the Four-Way Test Speech Contest, the Music Competition begins at the club level — with local Rotary clubs identifying talent in their own neighborhoods — and culminates in a District-level final with cash awards and scholarship support.
The competition is open to high-school students performing in classical, jazz, or contemporary repertoire. Vocalists and instrumentalists compete in separate divisions, judged by a panel of music educators and professional performers. It is, above all, an opportunity for Rotarians to recognize and mentor the young artists growing up in our District.
- Open to high-school students sponsored by their local Rotary club.
- Separate vocal and instrumental divisions.
- District-level cash awards and scholarship support for winners.
Of the things we think, say, or do:
- 1Is it the TRUTH?
- 2Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- 3Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- 4Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Where you compete
Performers compete in two divisions. Final repertoire and length requirements will be confirmed by the committee for the 2026 season.
Vocal Division
Solo voice in any genre — classical, jazz, musical theatre, or contemporary. Accompaniment provided or arranged by the performer.
Instrumental Division
Solo performance on any acoustic or electric instrument — strings, winds, brass, percussion, piano, guitar. Classical, jazz, or contemporary repertoire.
Audition guidelines
- Get sponsored by a local Rotary club. Every entry must be sponsored by a District 5330 Rotary club. Find a Club if you don’t know one near you.
- Prepare two contrasting pieces totaling approximately 8–10 minutes of music. At least one selection should be from the classical repertoire; the second may be any genre.
- Submit a video audition (unedited, single take, full-length) along with the entry form — or perform live at your sponsoring club’s audition night.
- Include accompaniment as needed. Vocalists and instrumentalists may bring their own pianist, use District-provided accompaniment, or perform with a recorded track for non-classical selections.
- Submit by the deadline through your sponsoring Rotary club. Finalists will be invited to perform live at the District final.
Judging criteria
Performances are judged by a panel of music educators and professional performers on:
- Technique — intonation, tone, articulation, rhythmic accuracy.
- Musicality — phrasing, dynamics, expression, sense of style.
- Interpretation — thoughtful, personal reading of the repertoire.
- Stage presence — poise, focus, communication with the audience.
2026 competition documents
Full rules, repertoire requirements, entry form, judging rubric, and parent/guardian release. Coming soon — the 2026 packet will be posted here once the committee finalizes it.
How winners are honored
First-, second-, and third-place winners in each division are recognized at the District Conference, receive cash awards and scholarship support, and have performance highlights featured on this website. Past winners will be celebrated here once the 2026 competition concludes.
Questions about the Music Competition?
The 2026 program chair will be announced shortly. In the meantime, reach the District 5330 Vocational Service team for sponsor info, school outreach, or to help judge.