Student musicians invited to enter the Young Artists Competition
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 6 hours, 29 minutes AGO
Student musicians through age 30 are invited to apply for the 2027 Young Artists Competition through Nov. 14 organized by the Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras. (Courtesy photo)
The Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras invites emerging classical musicians ages 14 through 30 to apply for the 2027 Young Artists Competition.
Four winners will perform as featured soloists with the association at the inaugural Montana Symphony Summit in May at the Mother Lode Theatre in Butte.
Cash prizes will also be awarded to division winners: $500 for the junior division (ages 13-15), $750 for the senior division (high school); $1,000 for the collegiate division (undergraduates) and $1,250 for the new Emerging Artist Division (college graduates through age 30). The Emerging Artist Division was added to the competition to expand career-building opportunities to musicians who have completed their undergraduate studies and are beginning their professional careers.
“Montana is home to extraordinary young musicians at every stage of their development,” Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras Executive Director Kassidy Conlon said. “This competition gives them an opportunity to prepare ambitious repertoire, receive meaningful feedback, and take the stage as soloists alongside professional musicians from across the state.”
Eligible musicians must meet at least one of the following criteria: live, work or study in Montana or be an auditioned member of a Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras member symphony. Students who are from Montana but are attending out-of-state colleges are also eligible to apply.
To apply, submit an accompanied video audition. The video must be recorded in one continuous, unedited take and not exceed 20 minutes in length. Applicants may perform one movement of a concerto or another piece for soloists and orchestras. Orchestral scores and parts must be available for purchase or rental in the U.S.
Finalists will then be selected to perform before a panel of adjudicators for the final round of the competition on Jan. 9, 2027, at the University of Montana Music Recital Hall in Missoula. Final-round performances must be memorized.
The Montana Symphony Summit, scheduled for May 21-23, 2027, will bring together professional musicians from Montana’s symphony orchestras for a weekend of rehearsals, professional development, collaboration and performance. The Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras will provide travel and lodging assistance for the four winners attending the summit.