Rossen Milanov, Music Director
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Nurturing young talent through music.
The Young Musicians Competition provides an opportunity for students in grades 3-12 to perform for professional feedback from Columbus Symphony musicians and collegiate faculty from around Central Ohio.
The Competition comprises three divisions: Junior Division, Senior Division, and Concerto Division. The Concerto Division is competitive. Junior and Senior Divisions are non-competitive, and participants receive professional feedback on their performance and musicianship.
The Concerto Division winner will be the recipient of the Lois H. Allen Concerto Prize for $1,000 and will perform with the Columbus Symphony at one of the 2025-2026 Young People’s Concert series. Second place finisher will receive $500 cash prize. Third place finisher will receive a $250 cash prize. All prizes are generously donated by the Friends of the Symphony.
Application fees will be due at the time of registration. Fees can be sent via mail. Performance times will be sent the week of February 9, 2026. If you do not receive your time by this deadline, contact the Education Programs Coordinator.
This division is intended for musicians in grades 8–12. The winner of the Concerto Division will receive the Lois H. Allen Award, a $1,000 prize generously donated by the Friends of the Symphony, as well as the opportunity to perform their winning concerto selection with the Columbus Symphony at an upcoming Young People’s Concert.
Applicants are to prepare one movement from a standard solo work with orchestral accompaniment (performed in both rounds with piano accompaniment). Selections must be no longer than 15 minutes. Applicants must provide their own accompanists.
Concerto Division Award Ceremony will be held in Mees Auditorium Saturday, March 1 at 4pm and is open to the public.
Concerto Divsion Requirements
This Division is intended for musicians in grades 9-12. Participants receive feedback on their performance from musical professionals. No prize is awarded. All participants will receive certificates and comment sheets from judges. Participants who earn the highest ratings may be invited to perform as part of our Young Musicians Showcase.
Applicants are to prepare a single-instrument solo piece from a standard work or etude (such as OMEA Class A or B; upper-level Guild or OFMC), that is no longer than 12 minutes. Participants must provide their own accompanists for pieces requiring accompaniment.
This Division is intended for musicians in grades 3-8. Participants receive feedback on their performance from musical professionals. No prize is awarded. All participants will receive certificates and comment sheets from judges. Participants who earn the highest ratings may be invited to perform as part of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Young Musicians Showcase.
Applicants are to prepare a solo piece from a standard work or etude that is no longer than 10 minutes. Participants must provide their own accompanists for pieces requiring accompaniment.
If you’ve ever come early to a Columbus Symphony Masterworks concert, you’ve probably seen some of our talented young musicians at work!
Young musicians from the central Ohio area are given the opportunity to gain valuable experience by performing in the Galbreath Pavilion before every Masterworks series concert.
Young musicians are selected by invitation only and are based on those who have placed at a high level in the annual Columbus Symphony Young Musicians Competition held each Spring.
Young Musicians Showcase begins approximately a half hour before the start of each Masterwork concert.
The Columbus Symphony’s Masterclasses offer exceptional artists the opportunity to share their insight and inspiration with the community’s most talented young musicians. Young performers, 25 and under, are selected through recorded submissions. The criteria for selecting participants include good preparation, serious dedication, and the ability to respond to suggestions in a class situation, whether the student is performing a standard concerto or a piece from the beginning repertoire.
Please check back for updates!
How to Apply
Upload audio recording of the student playing the piece to be performed at the Masterclass via the registration link below or email it to amarini@columbussymphony.com.
PLEASE, NO VIDEO RECORDINGS
$15 non-refundable application fee made payable to the Columbus Symphony via credit card or check.
Incomplete applications or applications sent without payment or audio recording will not be considered. Students selected to perform will be required to perform the piece submitted with the application.
Submission Deadlines
TBD
Have a question or want to learn more? Contact Education Programs Coordinator, Nia Dewberry
ndewberry@columbussymphony.com | 614.221.5171