musical contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "musical contest" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a competition or competition like event in which individuals or groups perform musical pieces in front of judges or an audience. Example: The local community center is hosting a musical contest next month, inviting talented musicians from all over the city to participate and showcase their skills.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The song was chosen in a musical contest organized by FIFA and Sony Music which King won, and it was subsequently arranged for Martin to record the track.

Wikipedia

On the other, Apollo watches the satyr Marsyas being flayed alive after being defeated by him in a musical contest.

The New York Times - Arts

The final of this year's Leeds International Piano Competition was that rarest of events, a closely fought musical contest that generated tremendous tension and excitement.

The Guardian - Music

The Little Gem anchors a series of historic buildings, from the shop where Louis Armstrong received his first clarinet to the club where he won his first musical contest.

The Guardian - Travel

In 1948 Henderson's quartet won an island-wide musical contest and they subsequently shared a bill with Ray Nathan's American Quartette, four African-Americans of Caribbean descent whose pianist was Wynton Kelly.

The Guardian - Music

It was all very eerie and beautiful, like Vienna, and ideal preparation for pictures like Titian's "Flaying of Marsyas," the most haunted work he painted, in which Apollo, having triumphed over the satyr Marsyas in a musical contest, gets to slice off the loser's skin.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Duffy added: "There's so much reality television and so many musical contests.

Independent

Though it included no major soloists, Webb's band regularly defeated the other major swing bands in musical contests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But as with most such musical contests the lists of past winners reveal how many performers who did not achieve success but instead fell into obscurity.

The New York Times - Arts

It too has improved standards noticeably not least because it gives eager choirs the chance to appear on television and sign recording deals.Enthusiasts for musical contests can also cite a long history of the use of head-to-head competitions as an alternative to job interviews and auditions.

The Economist

Unlike the Grammys, whose nominees and winners are chosen by an elite cabal of industry workers and players, the American Music Awards is the year's biggest musical popularity contest.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "musical contest", specify the genre or style of music involved (e.g., "jazz musical contest", "classical musical contest") to provide more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "musical" alone when referring to a contest. "Musical" by itself typically refers to a theatrical production. Use the full phrase "musical contest" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

"Musical contest" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of event. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show it is used to describe diverse competitive musical events, from piano competitions to song contests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "musical contest" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that identifies competitive musical events, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it serves to categorize and describe a diverse range of musical competitions. While generally neutral, its specific formality depends on the broader context. For greater clarity, specifying the musical genre is advisable, and avoiding using "musical" in isolation is crucial to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

music competition

Replaces "contest" with the more formal "competition".

song competition

Focuses specifically on songs as the basis of the contest.

battle of the bands

Specifically refers to a contest between musical bands.

talent show

Broader term encompassing various types of talent, including musical.

music festival competition

Adds the context of a festival to the musical competition.

musical showdown

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of the event.

choral competition

Refers specifically to contests between choirs.

instrumental competition

Focuses on instrumental performances rather than vocal.

a cappella competition

Contest focused on a cappella music.

music games

Uses a less formal term to describe music-related competitions.

FAQs

How can I use "musical contest" in a sentence?

You can use "musical contest" to describe a competition where musicians showcase their talents. For example, "The annual school "musical contest" will be held next month."

What is another way to say "musical contest"?

Alternatives include "music competition", "song competition", or "battle of the bands", depending on the specific nature of the event.

Is "musical competition" the same as "musical contest"?

Yes, "musical competition" and "musical contest" are largely interchangeable, with "competition" being slightly more formal.

What are some common types of musical contests?

Common types include talent shows, band competitions, choral competitions, and specific genre-based contests like jazz or classical "music competition".