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2009 Young Artist Competition
The 2009 WAMSO Young Artist Competition is scheduled for:

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Semifinal Round

Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Final Competition

Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Young Artist Competition, WAMSO's longest running education program, discovers and encourages exceptional young musical talent through a regional competition. Young performers come from eleven Midwest states and two Canadian provinces. These performers can win scholarships and monetary awards, as well as an opportunity to perform with the Minnesota Orchestra. The competition celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006.

Applying for the 2009 Young Artist Competition

Applications for the 2009 Young Artist Competition must be postmarked on or before

September 8, 2008 (September 3, 2008 if mailed outside of the US).  Preliminary round CDs must be postmarked on or before October 10, 2008 (Octobre 3, 2008 if mailed outside of the US).  

Click here to download the 2009 Young Artist Competition Application packet.

Click on the button below to pay the application fee online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to download the 2009 Young Artist Competition FAQ.

The Young Artist Competition Application and FAQ is available in PDF format. PDFs require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.

ADOBE ACROBAT

Prizes for the 2009 Competition:

  • GRAND PRIZE (Awarded to the First Prize winner at the discretion of the Minnesota Orchestra music director or designee)
    · Performance with the Minnesota Orchestra
    · $1,000 Award from the Minnesota Orchestral Association in memory of Isaac Stern for his dedication to young artists
  • FIRST PRIZE
    · $5,000 WAMSO Young Artist Award
    · $2,250 WAMSO Achievement Award
    · Performance with the Minnesota Orchestra
    · Taped performance on McGraw Hill's Young Artist Showcase, WQXR, New York
  • SECOND PRIZE
    · $4,000 WAMSO Award
    · Taped performance on McGraw Hill's Young Artist Showcase, WQXR, New York
  • THIRD PRIZE
    · $2,000 WAMSO Award

ELAINE LOUISE LAGERSTROM MEMORIAL AWARD - $1,000 Violin Award
MATHILDA HECK AWARD - $1,000 Woodwind Award
TWIN CITIES MUSICIANS UNION AFM AWARD - $1,000 Award
VINCENT R. BASTIEN MEMORIAL AWARD - $500 Cello Award
MARY WINSTON SMAIL MEMORIAL AWARD - $500 Piano Award

Other Performance Opportunities:

SAINT PAUL CIVIC SYMPHONY

THE SCHUBERT CLUB OF SAINT PAUL

Summer Study 2009:

ASPEN MUSIC SCHOOL, Aspen, Colorado
Sponsored by WAMSO and the Aspen Music School. The award covers tuition, room and board for the full 2009 nine-week session scheduled from June to August, 2008. www.aspenmusicfestival.com.

MADELINE ISLAND MUSIC CAMP, LaPointe, Wisconsin
Sponsored by WAMSO and Madeline Island Music Camp, for violin, viola, cello and piano. The award covers tuition, room and board for four weeks. Piano and strings: June, 2009, ages 14-24. Woodwinds and horns: July, 2009, college-age. www.music-camp.org.

INTERLOCHEN ARTS CAMP, Interlochen, Michigan
Sponsored by WAMSO and Interlochen Center for the highest-ranking high school contestant in the competition. www.interlochen.org.

CHATAQUA MUSIC FESTIVAL, Chautauqua, NY
Sponsored by the Chautauqua Schools of the Fine and Performing Arts at Chautauqua Institution
The award covers tuition, room and board for the entire length of the program.
June 27 – August 18, 2009 (Instrumental)
June 27 – August 12, 2009 (Piano)

Past Winners (archives)


WAMSO–Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer Association 1111 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403-2477
Phone: 612-371-5654   Fax: 612-371-7176   E-mail: wamso@mnorch.org