2024 Young Artists Competition Info & Application

Sponsored by the Alumnae of Mu Phi Epsilon and Sigma Alpha Iota

Instrument: Strings

Qualifications: College-aged student, up to 34 years old as of the date of the competition and Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti resident or presently registered at the University of Michigan, Concordia University or Eastern Michigan University.

Awards: 1st prize, $1,000 and solo recital presented by the Society for Musical Arts in the 2023–2024 season.

Repertoire: One composition from each of the following categories:

  1. An unaccompanied work by J. S. Bach
  2. A movement from a sonata from the standard repertory
  3. A movement of a concerto from the standard repertory

Memorization is required except for the sonata movement. The sonata and concerto movements should be presented with accompaniment, to be arranged by the competitor. Non-compliance with the above repertoire categories will disqualify the contestant. The length of the contestant’s performance will depend on the judgment of the jury.

The results of this competition will be announced by April 15, 2024.

Application deadline: March 15, 2024

How to apply:

  1. Submit an application and non-refundable $25 fee, either by filling out the form below, or by downloading this form and mailing it with a check (payable to Ann Arbor Society for Musical Arts) to 2643 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor MI, 48103 by March 15, 2024.
  2. Submit a YouTube link via email to info@annarborsma.org. The video must be a single, unedited recording (maximum length 30 minutes), showing your whole body and your instrument, with good lighting, in a landscape orientation of the camera. If you have an external microphone, that would be optimal, but not required. Your video may be uploaded with a privacy setting of “unlisted” or “public” and the title should include the contestant’s full name and “Society for Musical Arts Young Artists Competition 2024.”

YAC Application Form

Application Fee

Click below to pay the non-refundable $25 application fee via paypal or with a credit card.


Contestant’s name:


Competition Rules

ONLY THE FIRST 15 APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The competition will not be held unless a minimum of 5 contestants compete.

Winners must supply a bio and glossy photo within four weeks of the conclusion of competition. The winning artist will be given a Competition Winner’s Contract for their solo recital for S.M.A. The financial award will be given upon completion of the recital performance.

In the event that no participant qualifies for an award, none will be given. All decisions of the judging panel are final. Previous recipients of prizes awarded by The Society for Musical Arts are not eligible.

All expenses will be defrayed by the contestant, including the engagement of accompanists.