Young Artist Competition

Deadline: Friday, December 4th, 2026 11:59pm MST

Guidelines

ROUND 1 - Initial Applications due through Acceptd December 4, 2026

FINALS - After initial applications are reviewed, a selection of finalists will be announced on December 11, 2026.The final round will take place in person, in Grand Junction, Colorado, January 31, 2027 and Winners will be announced the same day.

Your Acceptd application submissions are the first round of auditions. 3-5 finalists will be chosen from this first round. The GJSO will hold a Final Competition Performance in person in Grand Junction, Colorado. Judges will select 1st/2nd/3rd prize winners and the attending audience will vote for Audience Choice prize GJSO will provide accompanists for finalists in the final round.

Winners will receive:

1st Prize - Total package $3500 USD, and an engagement to perform the winning concerto with the GJSO.  (Winner will receive $2000 on day of competition finals, plus a $1500 contract to perform in the 2027-28 season, plus airfare and accommodations for that return engagement.)

2nd Prize - $1500 USD

3rd Prize - $1000 USD

Audience Choice - $500 USD

Hotel accommodations will be provided for the finalists, plus $300 travel compensation.

Audition Requirements for ROUND 1

Acceptd Applicants should submit a video recording of a solo performance with accompaniment (piano or orchestra or chamber ensemble is acceptable.) Videos are required. Audio recordings may be sent in addition to video, but videos will be the primary material for judging. Recordings should be a minimum of 15 minutes, and can be either a single movement of a concerto, or excerpts from a concerto, or the complete piece. It is preferred that the recording is of the same piece the applicant would perform in the finals and, if chosen, in the 2027-2028 concert season with the GJSO.