Young Artist Concerto Competition
Every season, the MSO accepts applications for our annual young artist concerto competition.
Each year, the competition features a different family of instruments. The winner of the competition is invited to perform with the MSO the following season as a featured soloist, and receives a cash prize of $1,000.
Two runners-up receive cash prizes of $500 and $250, respectively.
Competition 2026 - Strings
APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN DECEMBER 15, 2025
COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS:
No prior 1st Place winners are allowed to participate.
Applicants must be String players and 30 years old or younger as of January 1, 2027.
The 1st Place winner will participate in community outreach as schedules permit.
TO APPLY: Send entrance form (linked below), brief resume, video recording (with accompaniment) of a complete concerto.
$35 application fee made payable to Marquette Symphony Orchestra must be received by May 15, 2026.
NOTE: The Marquette Symphony Orchestra reserves the right to use application videos for promotional purposes.
Applications for the 2026 Young Artist Competition will close on May 15, 2026.
Winners will be notified by June 15, 2026. Please direct questions regarding your application to the competition coordinator Mr. Eric Marta, at emarta@mapsnet.org.
The 1st Place winner will perform with the Marquette Symphony Orchestra in the Spring of 2027 and receive a cash prize of $1,000.
2nd Place will receive a cash prize of $500 and 3rd Place will receive $250.
The button link below will become active on December 15th, 2025.
Past Competitions
2025: Woodwinds
First Place - Nathan Salazar, Saxophone
Rhapsody for Saxophone and Orchestra by Andre Waignein
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Second Place – Natalie Feldpausch, Oboe
Third Place – Alec Jachalke, Bassoon
2024: Piano
Winner Hyerim Lee
Piano Concerto in A minor by Robert Schumann
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Second Place – Nhi Luong – Concerto #3 in C Major, Op. 26 – S. Prokofiev
Third Place – Takeshi Nagayasu – Concerto #2 in G minor, Op. 16 – S. Prokofiev
2023: Strings
Our 2023 winner, Jay Julio, viola, joined the MSO for a feature performance on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
Jay performed William Walton’s Viola Concerto.
Congratulations to our 2023 runners-up, Sandro Sidamonidze, cello, and Adam Hall, cello!
2022: Winds & Percussion
Our 2022 winner, Britton-René Collins, marimba, joined the MSO for a feature performance on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Britton-René performed Ney Rosauro’s Concerto No. 1 for Marimba and String Orchestra.
Congratulations to our 2022 runners-up, Leah Reinardy, marimba, and Natalie Feldpausch, oboe!
Entertainment for our audience, education for our community.
The MSO fills an important need within the Upper Peninsula Community. Music education helps share creative experiences with young musicians, and all area students, who benefit from expressing their creativity.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Statement on Non-Discrimination and Fair Access in Auditions, Volunteer and Hiring Recruitment
MSO is committed to helping make the organization and its activities are accessible to all individuals on a non-discriminatory basis. MSO is opposed to discrimination based upon actual or perceived gender, age, race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, parental, marital, domestic partner, civil union, military, or veteran status.