Young Artist Competition
The Chippewa Valley Symphony Young Artist Competition
This unique experience offers young musicians the opportunity to expand their horizons and supports them in their pursuit of musical excellence.
Students ages 14 – 18 living in the United States are invited to enter the competition by submitting an 8 to 16 minute performance recording of a movement of a concerto or an aria of similar difficulty. All finalists receive cash prizes and the winner is given the opportunity to perform with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra during its youth concert.
Important dates for the 2026-27 Young Artist Competition
January 2, 2027: Applications due
January 30, 2027: Finals | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
May 8, 2027: Winner’s performance with CVSO | Pablo Center at the Confluence
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![Classical musicians performing on stage with a grand piano and string instruments, including a conductor leading the orchestra.]()
2024 Winner Harold Fang
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![Conductor directs a young woman playing the cello during a concert on stage.]()
2023 Winner Lucy Wu
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![Orchestra performing on stage with a conductor, a violinist in a red dress, and other musicians playing string and wind instruments.]()
2022 Winner Jane Story
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![A young woman playing a grand piano in a concert setting with blue walls.]()
2021 Winner Sophia Jiang
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![An orchestra performing on stage with a female violinist and a conductor conducting the ensemble, all wearing formal black attire and face masks.]()
2020 Winner Kaylin Liu
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![A woman in a red dress playing a grand piano during an orchestra performance.]()
2019 Winner Jessica Jiang
Young Artist Competition Rules
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Contestants must be 14 years of age by the date of the performance and no older than 18 years of age at the date of the application deadline. Contestants must live in the United States. Previous winners cannot reapply. Those who have been runners-up or have received honorable mentions in previous years are encouraged to re-enter the contest.
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Winner: $1300 and the opportunity to perform with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra
1st Runner Up: $300
2nd Runner Up: $200
3rd and 4th Runners Up: $100
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Music selections eligible for the competition are (1) a movement of a concerto or (2) an aria of similar difficulty. Length should be approximately 8 to 16 minutes. For comparable length, singers may choose to perform two arias. Any cuts in the score must be approved in advance. The orchestral material must be readily available for the orchestra to obtain.
Recordings must include audio and video. The video and audio quality is the responsibility of the contestant.
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Youth Artist Application Consists of:
Submitting audio and video recording (via entry form)
$50 entry fee by clicking here.
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Applications must be submitted electronically by January 2, 2027.
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In-person finals will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on January 30, 2027, at 2:00 pm. The Finals are open to the public and free to attend.
Finalists are responsible for providing their own accompanist. A three-judge panel will observe the performances and determine the outcome of the competition. The judges’ decisions will be final. No winner may be declared should the judges find no contestant worthy of the honor. The judges may award honorable mentions should they so desire. Failing to adhere to the rules of this contest will result in dismissal from the contest.
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The winner will perform as the featured soloist with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, May 8, 2027 at 2:00 p.m. in the RCU Theatre at Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. A dress rehearsal will be held on Friday, May 7, 2027 at 7:00 p.m.