Outstanding Young Artists Competition (Winds, Strings, Percussion, Organ, Piano and Voice) Application Deadline: March 8, 2010 Audition date: March 14, 2010 Recital Date: April 18, 2010

Each spring the Friends of Music holds a competition for Outstanding Young Artist. Music students up to the age of 19 (or 20 for vocal students) who reside or study in the Lehigh Valley region are eligible.

Our goal is to motivate and educate young performers. Thus, all participants of the competition receive written evaluations from the judges, chosen from area music educators and performers.

The winner of the competition is presented in a formal, 25 minute public recital. The Outstanding Young Artist will receive a $500 cash award. In the event that more than one outstanding performer is chosen, the judges may recommend a joint recital, not to exceed 25 minutes of playing time for each performer. In this case, the prize will be equally divided.

The winner(s) will be presented in a formal, public recital on April 18, 2010 at 3:00 PM at Wesley United Methodist Church. Rehearsal time at the site will be available.

Enter the Competition

Participants must not be over 19 years of age (voice students 20) as of March 8, 2010 and must reside or study in the Lehigh Valley region. Teachers or coaches of applicants do not need to be contributing members of the Friends of Music, although they are strongly encouraged to join the organization. (See information on our website under Becoming a Contributor.)

Performers who wish to audition must be prepared to present a 25-minute program, selected from the standard classical repertoire. Memorization is strongly encouraged but not required. A short encore should be available. Auditions will be held March 14, 2010 in Peter Hall at Moravian College. Vocal and instrumental students must provide their own accompanists. Audition times will be assigned upon receipt of application. Artists will receive written evaluations from the judges.

The judges may reject all applicants if, in their opinion, no competitor is qualified. The decision of the judges is final.

For further information and audition application forms, contact George Schermerhorn, Competition Chairperson at 610-264-2008. Or, you may download the application. Send all applications to the address shown on the application form.