Thirteen of SMU’s finest student artists will compete Saturday for a chance to perform as a featured accompanist with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra in the Concerto Competition Finals.

The winner of the annual competition will perform in May with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra, made up of undergraduate and graduate musicians, at a concert performed specifically to highlight the winner’s technical and performance skills.

The students’ names will be released Saturday and include four pianists, two cellists, one violinist, three vocalists, one trumpeter, one clarinetist and one flutist. Each artist will perform either a movement from a concerto or sing one or more arias, accompanied by a piano.

The graduate students, who are all completing their master’s of music degree or performer diploma, will perform in Caruth Auditorium for three of Dallas’ most distinguished music experts: Scott Cantrell, a Dallas Morning News music critic; John Owings, pianist and TCU faculty member; and Jonathan Pell, artistic director of the Dallas Opera.

“There is a very well-rounded panel,” said Ashley Sirkel, Department of Music staff member. “Each judge knows about a specific area and will be able to appreciate and choose the winner of the competition.”

The finals are free to attend and will be held Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. in Caruth Auditorium.