MusicFest Northwest is happy to announce the Young Artist Competition

Judges:

Verne Windham – James Lowe – Bill McKay

May 15–16, 2026 at Gonzaga University.
Winners will perform with the
Spokane Symphony on November 12, 2026 at the Fox Theater.

Our MusicFest Northwest Mission

Connect, create, and celebrate with musicians and dancers of all ages through education, competition, and community partnerships.

MusicFest Northwest Young Artist Competition

Select your division below for specific information and registration. We are grateful to be bringing you the 2026 Young Artist Competition and we look forward to seeing you in May.
PLEASE NOTE: No personal choice repertoire is required this year. You will only be performing the concerto repertoire.

Division Dates:
  • Friday, May 15, 2026: Piano, Reeds, Flute, Brass
  • Saturday, May 16, 2026: Strings, Voice
Registration Information:
  • Open: November 1, 2025
  • Close: March 15, 2026
  • Fee: $125
  • Accompanists: Participants must secure their own pianists.

Young Artist Repertoire Requirements:

  • Piano Concerto in A major, K. 488 – Mvt. I-Allegro – Mozart

Young Artist Repertoire Requirements:

  • Bassoon: Bassoon Concerto in B-flat Major, K. 191; Mvt. I-Allegro – W.A. Mozart
  • Oboe: Oboe Concerto in C major, K. 314 Mvt. 1 – Allegro aperto – W.A. Mozart
  • Clarinet: Première Rhapsodie for Clarinet and Orchestra, L. 116 – Debussy
  • Saxophone: – Concertino da Camera for Alto Saxophone and Small Orchestra – Mvt. II Larghetto-Animato molto – Jacques Ibert

Young Artist Repertoire Requirements:

  • Flute: Poem for Flute and Orchestra, A.93 – Charles Griffes

Young Artist Repertoire Requirements:

  • Violin: Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46, Mvt. IV- Finale; Allegro guerriero – Max Bruch
  • Viola: Viola Concerto in G Minor; Mvt. I- Appassionato-Moderato-Con moto, agitato – Cecil Forsyth
  • Cello: Cello Concerto in D Minor, Mvt. III – Introduction. Andante-Allegro vivace – Édouard Lalo
  • Bass: Double Bass Concerto, Op. 3, Mvt. I-Allegro (Solo Tuning Required) – Serge Koussevitsky

Young Artist Repertoire Requirements:

  • Participants must prepare two contrasting arias of their choice. Any aria that can be found on IMSLP (International Music Score Library Project) is acceptable for performance and submission.

Young Artist Repertoire Requirements:

  • Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major – Mvt. I-Allegro – F.J. Haydn
  • French Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, K. 412 – Mvt. I-Allegro – Mozart
  • Trombone Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra – Mvt. I- Moderato assai ma molto maestoso – Launy Grøndahl
  • Tuba Concerto – Mvt. I-Allegro deciso – Edward Gregson
  • Euphonium – Concerto for Euphonium (Trombone) and Orchestra Mvt. III. Finale: Maestoso – Rondo by Launy Grøndahl

Young Artist Rules & Regulations

  1. The MusicFest Northwest Young Artist Competition is reserved for those ages 16-27 (16-29 for Voice). Please note: Contestants may calculate the age requirements from either the competition date or October 15, 2026. The gold medal winner from each division performs with the Spokane Symphony in the Young Artist Concert at the Fox Theater in October 2026 (Specific date TBA) and receives a cash prize.
  2. This competition is open to any person whose principal means of livelihood is obtained from non-musical work, even though he/she/they accepts stipend or honorarium from time to time from musical services rendered.
  3. Participants must perform their concerto movement with a pianist (orchestra part) for the competition.
  4. MusicFest does not provide a pianist/accompanist for participants. Participants will be responsible for securing their own accompanists and arranging any fees/rehearsals.
  5. Memory is required for all divisions.
  6. Young Artist winners are not eligible to compete as a Young Artist in the same division in any subsequent festival.
  7. Young Artist participants may not participate in multiple Young Artist divisions in the same festival year.
  8. No late entries will be accepted.
  9. MusicFest Northwest has a No Refund Policy
    • Any exceptions must be addressed by sending a letter to the administrative team for MusicFest Northwest. Any approved refund will not include peripheral fees.
    • In the case of financial exigency, MusicFest Northwest will reimburse any registration fees.
  10. MusicFest Northwest reserves the right to close any particular division or class in the event of low enrollment, and refunds will be issued as seen fit by the administrative team.

  11. By entering the MusicFest Northwest festival you understand that your image, video or audio may be used in the media or in marketing material. You are giving MusicFest Northwest and their agents the right to use those images and likenesses. If you wish to not have your image used, please contact our office at office@musicfestnorthwest.org.

  1. MusicFest Northwest requires legally obtained music scores. It is the responsibility of teachers and students to be sure their music is in compliance with copyright laws. If you have questions about using scores downloaded from sources such as IMSLP, please refer to the ASCAP Licensing web page:https://www.ascap.com/help/ascap-licensing.
  2. Participants must report to their Check-in desk 15 minutes before the time specified in their schedule. For various reasons a participant’s order of performance might change without notice.
  3. Participants must give a copy of their music to the check-in Assistant when they report, opened at the proper page with measures numbered.
  4. Time limits are maximum; less time may be used but not more. If a selection exceeds the time limit, the adjudicator may stop the performance.
  5. During the competition cell phones and pagers must be in “do not disturb” mode or “airplane” mode. Flash photography is not permitted. All video, photo and audio recording during class sessions is strictly prohibited, except by the official MusicFest Northwest photographers. Photos may be taken after the class is concluded.

Questions or concerns regarding adjudication, grading or awards should not be discussed with the Adjudicator and must be in writing to the Board President.

    1. The adjudicator is the sole judge, and that decision is final. Grading System: Superior (97 – 100), Excellent (94 – 96), Very Good (90 – 93), Good (80 – 89), Fair (75 – 79), Incomplete (>75)
    2. Awards:
      • One (1) Gold Medal may be given with a grade of 97 or above (Superior)
      • One (1) Silver Medal may be given with a grade of 94 or above (Excellent)
Note
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