2026 Young Artists Music Competition

The Everett Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Artists Concerto Competition allows young artists the benefit of a competitive activity and the opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra. One student will be selected to perform a movement of a solo work with the Everett Philharmonic Orchestra at our annual family concert in front of an audience of several hundred people on November 29, 2026.

Timeline:

  • October 3, 2026 – application deadline

  • October 10, 2026, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM – in-person competition in Everett, Washington

  • November 29, 2026 – winner’s performance

Eligibility Requirements:

  • String, woodwind, brass and percussion students who are 18 years of age or younger on the date of the performance.

  • Legal resident of the state of Washington.

  • Previous winners of the Everett Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Artists Concerto Competition are ineligible.

Repertoire Requirements:

  • One movement of a standard concerto or similar work for your instrument and orchestra.

  • No longer than 20 minutes in length.

  • The work should preferably be in the public domain and easily obtainable.

  • In the event the choice of the winner’s repertoire is not in the public domain or only available through rental, the winner will be responsible for the costs of acquiring the music for the orchestra to rehearse and perform.

Competition Details:

  • All participants must provide their own accompanist.

  • Memorization is encouraged.

  • The competition will be limited to 12 participants.

  • Participants will be invited based upon their application, biography, letter of recommendation and choice of repertoire.

  • An audio or video recording with piano accompaniment may be requested as a preliminary audition.

  • In addition to each person’s performance and stage presence, judges will weigh the difficulty of the orchestral parts when choosing a winner.

  • In the event that no contestant is considered qualified by the judges, no winner will be named. The decision of the Everett Philharmonic Orchestra is final.

Award: One winner will be selected to perform with the Everett Philharmonic Orchestra at its “A Tale to Tell” concert. The winner must be able to attend the following rehearsals and concert:

  • Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 PM, rehearsal with orchestra

  • Tuesday, November 24, 6:30 PM, dress rehearsal with orchestra

  • Sunday, November 29, 3:00 PM, performance with orchestra

Audition, rehearsal, and concert dates and times are nonnegotiable.

Application Requirements:

  • Filled out application form (please click the button at the top of this page)

  • A short (100 words) biography

  • Letter of reference from your teacher

Deadline: Applications must be received by October 3, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please email questions to everettphilharmonic@gmail.com.

APPLY HERE