Biennial Young Artists Competition

The Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras’ Young Artists Competition is the first step in a statewide pathway connecting Montana’s most promising young musicians with professional performance opportunities through the Montana Symphony Summit. Each biennial cycle, student musicians from across the state compete for the rare opportunity to perform as soloists with the Summit Festival Orchestra, made up of musicians from Montana’s seven symphony orchestras. For many participants, this represents an early professional milestone that can shape future artistic goals and careers.

The competition is open to Montana residents ages 13 – post-collegiate emerging artists who perform on orchestral instruments. Divisions include Junior, Senior, Collegiate, and Post-Collegiate. Past winners may not compete again in the same division. Applicants submit an application and recorded audition, which are reviewed by preliminary judges. Based on those evaluations, selected finalists advance to the live final round.

Finalists perform before a panel of nationally recognized adjudicators, who provide professional feedback and select one winner from each division. Those four winners are then featured as soloists with the Montana Symphony Summit Festival Orchestra during the culminating public concert.

Beyond prizes and recognition, the Young Artists Competition develops stronger musicians by encouraging disciplined preparation, artistic growth, confidence, and leadership. The live final round also offers audiences the chance to experience some of Montana’s finest emerging musical talent, while the Summit concert showcases these young artists alongside professional musicians from across the state. Together, the Competition and Summit celebrate excellence, mentorship, and the future of orchestral music in Montana.