THE YOUNG MUSICIANS COMPETITION

Applications for the 2024 competition are now open. Deadline to apply is 5pm on Monday, April 29, 2024.
More information about audition requirements below.


2023 Young Musicians Competition Winners

First Prize/James McAuliffe Memorial Prize
Christopher Wu, violin

Second Prize (tied)
Joshua Cisneros, violin

Second Prize (tied)
Cadence Liu, flute

Honorable mention: David Hsieh, marimba | Michelle Kuan, flute


Previous WINNERS OF THE YOUNG MUSICIANS COMPETITION

First Place (2022)
Cassandra May, violin

Second Place (2022)
Elliott Kim, cello

Second Place (2022)
Esther Luan, violin

First Place Harrison Kim, clarinet 11th grade, Branham High School

First Place (2021)
Harrison Kim, clarinet
11th grade, Branham High School

Second Place Emily Hwang, viola 10th grade, Gunn High School

Second Place (2021)
Emily Hwang, viola
10th grade, Gunn High School

Third Place Eunseo Oh, violin 10th grade, Lynbrook High School

Third Place (2021)
Eunseo Oh, violin
10th grade, Lynbrook High School

First Place Ajay Mallya, violin 11th grade, Bellarmine College Prep

First Place (2020)
Ajay Mallya, violin
11th grade, Bellarmine College Prep

Second Place Adelyn Chen, violin 12th grade, Design Tech High School

Second Place (2020)
Adelyn Chen, violin
12th grade, Design Tech High School

Third Place Esther Luan, violin 10th grade, Saratoga High School

Third Place (2020)
Esther Luan, violin
10th grade, Saratoga High School


2024 THE YOUNG MUSICIANS COMPETITION

ACCEPTING Applications Until 5pm monday, april 29, 2024

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

● Applicants must be high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors in San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara County school districts.

● Applicants must be participating in their school music program.

● All orchestral instruments accepted (non-piano).

HOW DO I AUDITION?

Applications and video recorded auditions must be submitted by deadline.

● A non-refundable $60 application fee is due with the application, payable by credit card.

➢ Application form and link to the application fee can be found below

● Auditions should be submitted by video recording. Detailed information can be found here

● Total audition time is 10 minutes per applicant. Auditions should be unaccompanied and cuts are suggested to conform to the time limit.

WHAT SHOULD I PLAY?

● One solo unaccompanied work (Bach unaccompanied, major étude, etc.) and

● One unaccompanied movement of a concerto or major work that can be performed with a symphony orchestra. Concertos must be approved in advance by Peninsula Symphony’s Artistic Director. Please email jenny@peninsulasymphony.org as soon as possible to get approval.

● Both works together must be approximately 10 minutes.

WHAT CAN I WIN?

● FIRST PRIZE - $500, certificate and a possible in-person solo appearance with the Peninsula Symphony (Concerts are subject to scheduling by mutual agreement and pending venue availability. Possible in-person solo appearance with the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra at the June 8, 2024 Summer Concert.)

● SECOND PRIZE - $200, and certificate

● THIRD PRIZE - $100, and certificate

For concerto approval and any questions email: jenny@peninsulasymphony.org

DEADLINE: Application form, entry fee and video submission must be received by 5pm Monday, April 29, 2024.

A prior winner of the Young Musicians Competition performs with PSO

A prior winner of the Young Musicians Competition performs with PSO

For general information and inquiries please contact:

jenny@peninsulasymphony or call 650-941-5291.