YOUNG ARTIST

COMPETITION

The deadline to apply for our 2025 Young Artist Competition has passed. Please stay tuned to this page for information about our 2025 YAC Winners’ Showcase Concert.

An In-Person Contest for Young Colorado Musicians

The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs’s YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION is a chance for local, Colorado-based student musicians to perform with a professional orchestra. Multiple winners will be selected to perform with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs on a Winners Showcase Concert in June 2025.

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ELIGIBILITY:

AGES: Open to students age 18 and under (on May 31st of the competition year).

RESIDENCE: Must reside in El Paso, Teller, Fremont, Park, Jefferson, Pueblo, Custer, Crowley, Otero or Douglas county.

INSTRUMENT: Eligible solo instruments include string, woodwind, brass, piano, percussion, organ, or guitar instrumentalists, and voice.

REPERTOIRE: One movement of a concerto, or any solo, with chamber orchestra accompaniment (MAXIMUM: 2222 - 2200 - Timp + Perc - Strings), up to a maximum of 20 minutes.*

* - Multiple movements are permissible if they are to be played without pause, and total time is under 20 minutes.

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ENTRY FEE: $50

Entry fees are non-refundable after the March 21st deadline to apply. Any interested contestant may contact our Affordability Hotline for financial assistance.

Payment is submitted online, using the button at the end of the application.

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IMPORTANT DATES:

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR 2025 HAS PASSED.
APRIL 5, 2025*: In-Person Competition - 9:00AM - 2:00PM
JUNE 1, 2025: Winner's Showcase Performance - 3:00PM

(Rehearsal dates: Thursday, May 29, 2025, 7:30PM and Saturday, May 31, 2025, 3:00PM)

* Those participating in Colorado All-State Band this same weekend can message us at community@chamberorchestraofthesprings.org to facilitate a virtual audition on another date.

  • The only selection criteria for winners are artistic excellence, adherence to the application requirements and rules, and compatibility with the programming style and instrumentation of the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs.

    No information regarding a contestant’s area of residence, former or current teachers, former or current schools, or former or current colleges will be provided to the judges to determine the winner. Personal information is used only to confirm eligibility.

    JUDGES: TBA

    • Repertoire must be orchestrated for a soloist with a chamber orchestra (2222 - 2200 - Timp - Perc - Strings). If you have any questions, concerns or uncertainty about the orchestration of your intended repertoire, please email community@chamberorchestraofthesprings.org.

    • Repertoire selections may not exceed 20 minutes.

    • On the competition day, it is recommended to skip repeats and cut any accompaniment-only sections. Sections with the soloist part may not be skipped on the competition day. Please mark all cuts in the scores you provide to the judges.

    • By entering the competition, applicants agree to abide by all federal copyright laws.

    • No changes in repertoire are allowed following submission of application, without prior approval.

    • Contestants must be age 18 or under on May 31st of the competition year.

    • Contestants must reside in one of the following Colorado counties: El Paso, Teller, Fremont, Pueblo, Custer, Crowley, Otero or Douglas county.

    • Winners must be available to perform the same repertoire selection as the audition at that year’s Young Artist Winner's Showcase. Winners must also be available for all scheduled rehearsals.

    • On the day of the competition, contestants will perform their piece - a movement from a concerto, or another solo with orchestral accompaniment - before a panel of judges.

    • A collaborative pianist must accompany all contestants on the day of the competition. Teachers may accompany their students. It is the responsibility of the contestant to secure an accompanist.

    • Four copies (photocopies acceptable) of your music must be provided upon check-in at the competition, for the judges’ panel. If you are making any cuts (see “Repertoire Requirements”) they must be marked.

    • Warm-up spaces will be provided on the day of the audition. Family, friends, and teachers are permitted in the warm-up spaces; however, the competition room is closed to the public.

    • Multiple candidates may be named to perform on the Winners Showcase Concert. However, only one winner will be the “first-place” winner. That winner is ineligible for future years’ competitions.

APPLICATION FORM

The deadline to apply for our 2025 Young Artist Competition has passed. Please stay tuned to this page for information about our 2025 YAC Winners’ Showcase Concert.