The Young Artist Competition has returned for our 2026-2027 season!
The Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra invites area youth to audition for its annual Young Artist Competition. Join us!
- One young musician will receive an award in the amount of $500
- and the opportunity to perform with the orchestra at our March 12, 2027 concert.
- To be eligible for the competition, interested students must:
- Be an instrumentalist between the ages of 12-18 years. No piano or voice applicants at this time. Previous winners are not eligible.
- Submit an unedited audio recording of the applicant performing a concerto movement or other work that requires orchestral accompaniment. The performance must be submitted with piano accompaniment. Recordings may be submitted electronically to the following email address: rosoyoungartistcompetition@gmail.com
- Complete the following application form: https://forms.gle/RfqXo78HyYxmk16A7
- Submit a non-refundable application fee of $20.00 to Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/young-artist-competition
- Application Deadline: The application form, application fee, and audio recording must be received by 11:59pm Nov. 1, 2026
Finalists will advance to the live audition round:
- Finalists will be notified on or around November 9, 2026 and will perform at the live audition to be held at 4:00pm on November 21, 2026.
- Each finalist must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and perform with a piano accompaniment. Each finalist must arrange for their own piano accompanist.
- Finalists will perform their piece in a recital format before a panel of judges and guests at Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, 320 W. 7th St. Royal Oak, MI 48067.
- Application Guidelines:
- Musical selection must have orchestral accompaniment readily available and at reasonable cost. If for any reason the winner's original selection is deemed unsuitable for a ROSO performance at this time, ROSO has the right to request a repertoire change for the concert performance. Factors that may prompt a request for different repertoire include excessively large instrumentation, length, the practicality of adequate preparation within the allotted rehearsal time, excessive cost, etc.
- Five (5) paper copies of the music to be performed must be provided to the adjudication panel. Photocopies are acceptable.
- Applicants must be available to perform with the orchestra on the evening of March 12th, 2027. The winner is also required to attend at least two rehearsals with ROSO; one to be designated by the Music Director and the dress rehearsal on the Thursday directly preceding the scheduled performance. Additional rehearsals may be requested by the director and/or performer. The $500 prize will be given to the student at the close of the March concert.
- Decisions of the selection committee and audition judges are final.
