COSMIC Symphony Young Artist Competition
Application 2025-2026
Mission
The Young Artists Competition (YAC) seeks to promote, encourage, and foster the musical development of young artists who reside in the state of Maryland. Secondly, to identify exceptionally talented young artists and provide them the opportunity to perform a solo in concert with a live orchestra.
Eligibility Requirements
YAC Junior Division
YAC Senior Division
- Contestant is 18 years of age or younger on the date of Sunday, 22 February 2026
- Contestant is an instrumentalist (string, woodwind, brass, percussion, piano, etc.) or vocalist
- Contestant is a state of Maryland resident
- Contestant is not under professional management
- Contestant is not a previous winner of the COSMIC YAC Junior Division
- Contestant is between 19 to 24 years of age on the date of Sunday, 22 February 2026
- Contestant is an instrumentalist (string, woodwind, brass, percussion, piano, etc.) or vocalist
- Contestant is a state of Maryland resident
- Contestant is not under professional management
- Contestant is not a previous winner of the COSMIC YAC Senior Division
Solo Requirements
Solos Not Being Considered
These requirements apply to all divisions:
- Solo must not be listed on the “Solos Not Being Considered” list below.
- Solo must be approved (listing on the application will submit it for approval).
- Solo must have orchestral accompaniment available for purchase or rental.
- Solo must not exceed 20 minutes in total performance time.
- Solo may consist of a single movement or multiple movements.
- Instrumentalists should perform a concerto or similar style solo.
- Vocalists may select multiple songs/arias, song cycle, or other solo work.
If there is a cost associated with acquiring the orchestral parts (purchase or rental), the cost will be subtracted from the soloist’s honorarium. If the cost to acquire the orchestral parts exceeds the honorarium, the soloist will be required to pay the difference
This list contains works that will NOT be considered for the 2025-26 YAC:
- Geroge Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
- Sergei Rachmaninoff – Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
- Ennio Morricone – Nella Fantasia
- Giacomo Puccini – Donde Lieta from La bohème
- Giacomo Puccini – O Mio Babbino Caro from Gianni Schicchi
Audition Requirements
These requirements apply to ALL divisions:
- The winner will be selected by a panel of adjudicators based on artistic excellence.
- All contestants must provide and perform with a piano accompanist on the day of the audition.
- Feedback from the adjudicators will be sent to all applicants following the auditions.
Instrumentalists (strings, winds, brass, percussion, and piano) should perform a concerto or equivalent style work that has orchestral accompaniment. If the piece totals more than 15 minutes, contestants will perform 15 minutes worth of their piece on the audition day. Contestants may choose which sections of their piece to perform on the audition day.
Vocalists should perform multiple songs or 1 solo that have orchestral accompaniment. If the piece(s) totals more than 15 minutes, contestants will perform 15 minutes worth of their piece(s) on the audition day. Contestants may choose which sections of their piece(s) to perform on the audition day.
Dates
These dates apply to all divisions. Contestants must be available to rehearse and perform with the orchestra on the dates below.
- Application Opens: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
- Applications Due: Tuesday, 15 July 2025
- Audition Day Schedule Announced: Friday, 15 August 2025
- Audition Day: Sunday, 14 September 2025
- Results Announced: Sunday, 28 September 2025
- Rehearsal 1 with Winners: Tuesday, 10 February 2026
- Rehearsal 2 with Winners: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
- Concert 1: Saturday, 21 February 2026
- Concert 2: Sunday, 22 February 2026
Fees (Non-Refundable)
- COSMIC Member: $00.00
- Southern Maryland Resident (Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s County): $40.00
- Maryland Resident: $70.00
- Fees waived for students eligible for FARM.
Questions
Contact YAC Coordinator at orchestra@cosmicsymphony.org.
