Now that students have settled into their new Fall schedules and are ready to apply themselves in their studies, we have listed 10 music competetions for young musicians in Los Angeles to test their abilities. This is also a guide for parents to learn about upcoming deadlines for these fabulous oportunities to motivate their children.
YoungArts
Registration dates: Open now thru October 16, 2015
Competition Date: February 16-21, 2016 (Los Angeles)
Divisions: Cinematic Arts, Dance, Design Arts, Jazz, Music, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, and Writing. (15-18 years old or in grades 10-12)
Awards: Cash awards of up to $10,000, plus the opportunity to get nominated as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and access to significant scholarship opportunities.
Organizer: National Young Arts Foundation
About: The National YoungArts Foundation identifies and supports the next generation of artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts; assists them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development; and raises appreciation for the arts in American society.
Details: youngarts.org
The Music Center Spotlight
Registration dates: Open now thru October 19, 2015
Competition Date: Pre-eliminary Auditions January 16-30, 2016.
Divisions: Acting, Ballet, Non Classical Dance, Classical Voice, Non Classical Voice, Classical Instrumental or Jazz Instrumental.
Awards: Cash scholarships up to $5,000, master classes with world renowned artists, performing arts workshops and more.
Organizer: The Music Center
About: Spotlight is a scholarship and training in the arts program, which encourages personal and artistic growth, while exploring new possibilities in the arts! Southern California High School students of ALL talent levels are encouraged to apply for FREE.
Details: musiccenter.org/education/Students-at-the-Center/Spotlight
Glendale Piano Competition
Registration dates: March 1st – March 27, 2016. (Late registration fee $60 thru April 1, 2016)
Competition Date: April 23, 2016.
Divisions: Junior (grades 2-8) Senior (grades 9-12)
Awards: Cash awards, medals, performances.
Organizer: Elvin Samuel McGaughey Music Foundation
About: Every year since 1983, the Elvin Samuel McGaughey Music Foundation has awarded grants to yound outstanding musicians. Mimi McGaughey, a Glendale pianist and teacher, started the foundation in honor of her husband, who had been a loyal supporter of young piano students for much of his lifetime. The Glendale Piano Conpetition is open to students in Grades 3-12. Auditions are held in April in and around Glendale, CA.
Details: glendalepianocompetition.org
Los Angeles Young Musicians International Competition
Registration dates: To be posted in October 2015.
Competition Date: August 2016, TBD
Divisions: 3; ages up to 12, ages of 13-17, and ages of 18-32.
Awards: Cash awards of up to $2500
Organizer: Los Angeles Young Musician International Competition
About: Los Angeles Young Musician International Competition is a California Non-profit organization with a mission to explore the talents of young musicians, provide performance experiences for young musicians, bring different cultures together with the music, provide international young musicians possible educational opportunities, and encourage music appreciation.
Details: layoungmusician.org
American International Paderewski Piano Competition
Registration dates: TBD,
Competition Date: May 2016, TBD
Divisions: 1; ages of 13-17
Awards: Cash awards of up to $5,000.00
Organizer: Paderewski Music Society
About: Our main goal is to encourage and help the young generation of pianists following in Paderewski’s footsteps through the invitation of the best pianistic talents from around the globe to the American Paderewski Piano Competition-Los Angeles.
Details: ijpaderewski.org
Irving M. Klein International String Competition
Registration dates: February 2016, TBD
Competition Date: June 2016, TBD
Divisions: 1; ages 15 to 23
Awards: Up to $5,000 cash award + Performance opportunities
Organizer: Paderewski Music Society
About: The Klein Competition has achieved international recognition as one of the most prestigious classical music competitions, recognized for the high caliber of the contestants, its unique, nurturing environment, and its commitment to the commissioning of new works. It is open to violinists, violists, cellists and bassists.
Details: californiamusiccenter.org
Kathryn Gawartin Chopin Piano Competition
Registration dates: February 2016, TBD
Competition Date: March 13, 2016
Divisions: Junior (ages 13 & under) Senior (ages 18 & under)
Awards: Cash awards of up to $500
Organizer: MTAC, West Los Angeles
About: The Purpose of the Kathryn Gawartin Chopin Piano Competition is “to encourage the highest level of Chopin piano performance for pre-college (ages 18 and under) students of all MTAC members. This competition is open to all MTAC Branches.”
Details: mtacwla.org
MTAC-WLA Branch Concerto Competition
Registration dates: Early 2016, TBD
Competition Date: April 3, 2016
Divisions: Junior (ages 14 & under) Senior (ages 18 & under)
Awards: Cash awards of up to $1000,
Organizer: MTAC, West Los Angeles
About: The MTAC-West Los Angeles Branch Concerto Competition provides students an opportunity to perform a movement of a concerto with the Culver City Chamber Orchestra at the Young Artists Concert on Sunday May 1, 2016. Now open to students of all MTAC teachers. For the following solo instruments: Violin, Violoncello, Flute and Piano.
Details: mtacwla.org
The North American Online Competition for Singers
Registration dates: Video entries must be submitted by 2:00 am Central time on February 2, 2016.
Competition Date:
Divisions: 4; Children (Ages 12 & Under) Early Teens (Ages 13-15), High School (Ages 16-18), College/University (Ages 18-23)
Awards: Up to $1000 cash
Organizer: Hal Leonard Corporation
About: The North American Online Competition for Singers is the only vocal competition for all of North America aimed at young singers, ages 23 and under, and one of the first legitimate competitions for music students held entirely online.
Details: halleonard.com
United States Open Music Competition
Registration dates: October 1st , 2015 through October 10th.
Competition Date: February 15th – 20th, 2016
Divisions: 5; Elementary, Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Advanced
Awards: Trophies and performance opportunities.
Organizer: United States Open Music Competition
About: “The United States Open Music Competition is an extremely comprehensive piano competition that both challenges and rewards students of all ages…For the past 15 years, USOMC has created an environment where local, national and international students of all levels have strived to achieve musical excellence.”
Details: usomc.org
