ROCHESTER CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION
Held every two years, this competition celebrates and supports outstanding pre-college musicians from across Minnesota. Designed to recognize excellence and nurture emerging talent, the competition provides young artists with a meaningful platform to grow and shine. Top winners are honored with the opportunity to perform in the Young Artist Showcase, part of the RCMS Concert Series, on April 17, 2027.
PRELIMINARY ROUND (VIRTUAL AUDITIONS)
Video submission deadline: March 1st, 2027
- Finalists announced on March 8th
- Finalists will need to sign an agreement confirming their availability and willingness to perform at the Winners Recital if awarded First Place.
FINAL ROUND (IN-PERSON AUDITIONS)
April 10, 2027 in Rochester Minnesota
WINNERS' RECITAL (RCMS SEASON FINALE)
April 17, 2027 at 7:30 PM in Rochester Minnesota
ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open exclusively to students currently enrolled in pre-college programs (K–12) in Minnesota. Accordingly, duos, trios, and quartets must be composed entirely of eligible student participants. Grades are determined at the time of the competition. Students in high school may enter multiple categories and may participate in multiple ensembles, provided all eligibility requirements are met. No changes in ensemble personnel may be made after submission of the application.
The competition is open exclusively to students currently enrolled in pre-college programs (K–12) in Minnesota. Accordingly, duos, trios, and quartets must be composed entirely of eligible student participants. Grades are determined at the time of the competition. Students in high school may enter multiple categories and may participate in multiple ensembles, provided all eligibility requirements are met. No changes in ensemble personnel may be made after submission of the application.
CATEGORIES
Piano Solo
Duo, Trio and Quartet
Piano Solo
- Grades 4–5 (Elementary School)
- Grades 6–8 (Middle School)
- Grades 9–12 (High School)
Duo, Trio and Quartet
- Duo for Piano and String Instrument (Grades 9–12)
- Duo for Piano and Wind Instrument (Grades 9–12)
- Trio or Quartet for any combination of three or four instruments (Grades 9–12)
AWARDS
Piano Solo
Grades 4–5
Piano Solo
Grades 4–5
- 1st Place – Performance at the Winners Recital and $300 remuneration
- 2nd Place – $50
- 3rd Place – $25
- 1st Place – Performance at the Winners Recital and $500 remuneration
- 2nd Place – $75
- 3rd Place – $50
- 1st Place – Performance at the Winners Recital and $800 remuneration
- 2nd Place – $100
- 3rd Place – $75
- 1st Place – Performance at the Winners Recital and $900 remuneration per ensemble
- 2nd Place – $100 per ensemble
- 3rd Place – $75 per ensemble
- 1st Place – Performance at the Winners Recital and $900 remuneration per ensemble
- 2nd Place – $100 per ensemble
- 3rd Place – $75 per ensemble
- 1st Place – Performance at the Winners Recital and $1,200 remuneration per ensemble
- 2nd Place – $125 per ensemble
- 3rd Place – $100 per ensemble
REPERTOIRE
Performance Time Limits
Audition repertoire must consist of complete works such as:
Concerti and other works originally written to be performed with orchestra are not permitted. Please note that some works were originally written for an instrument and piano and later arranged for the same instrument and orchestra. Such works are permitted. Likewise, works originally written for an instrument and orchestra that were later arranged by the composer for the same instrument and piano are also permitted. No changes to the repertoire may be made after submission of the application. The repertoire performed in the Preliminary Round, Final Round, and Winners Recital must be identical. For repertoire questions or clarifications, please contact the Competition Director:
Dr. Yanjue Lin
[email protected]
Performance Time Limits
- Piano Solo (Elementary School): 5 minutes
- Piano Solo (Middle School): 7 minutes
- Piano Solo (High School): 12 minutes
- High School Duos: 12 minutes
- High School Trios and Quartets: 15 minutes
Audition repertoire must consist of complete works such as:
- Standalone piece(s)
- Movement(s) from larger works such as sonatas, trios, quartets, and suites
- A theme and its complete set of variations
- Both paired works, such as a Prelude and Fugue, Introduction and Rondo, etc.
Concerti and other works originally written to be performed with orchestra are not permitted. Please note that some works were originally written for an instrument and piano and later arranged for the same instrument and orchestra. Such works are permitted. Likewise, works originally written for an instrument and orchestra that were later arranged by the composer for the same instrument and piano are also permitted. No changes to the repertoire may be made after submission of the application. The repertoire performed in the Preliminary Round, Final Round, and Winners Recital must be identical. For repertoire questions or clarifications, please contact the Competition Director:
Dr. Yanjue Lin
[email protected]
APPLICATION
Application period: November 30, 2026 – March 1, 2027
All application fees are non-refundable.
Application Requirements
Application Fees
Application period: November 30, 2026 – March 1, 2027
All application fees are non-refundable.
Application Requirements
- Completed application form
- One application per pianist (piano solo categories)
- One application per ensemble (duo, trio, and quartet categories)
- Biography and headshot of each performer
- Audition video (link to an unlisted YouTube video)
- Application fee
Application Fees
- Piano Solo (Elementary School) – $30
- Piano Solo (Middle School) – $40
- Piano Solo (High School) – $50
- Duo for Piano and String Instrument (High School) – $60 per ensemble
- Duo for Piano and Wind Instrument (High School) – $60 per ensemble
- Trio or Quartet (High School) – $80 per ensemble