2025-2026 Young Artist Winners

The Young Artist Competition, presented by the Big Bend Community Orchestra, fosters and recognizes youth musical talent in the Florida Big Bend. It provides opportunity for student orchestra musicians age 7 to 18 to compete for a cash prize and to perform a solo accompanied by the Big Bend Community Orchestra.

Applicants may enter in one of three age categories: Ages 7-10, 11-14, or 15-18  on violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, harp, piano, or percussion. 

Applicants must reside in Leon, Calhoun, Gadsden, Franklin, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, or Wakulla counties in Florida; Or Brooks, Colquitt, Decatur, Grady, Lowndes, Mitchell, Thomas, or Seminole counties in Georgia.

Competitors should prepare a movement of a major work for their instrument; an orchestral accompaniment reduction must be available/utilized. Music must be scored for orchestral accompaniment for the performance. Selections with orchestral parts available only via rental are not eligible. Parts must be either: available on IMSLP, available for borrowing locally, OR available for immediate purchase at a reasonable cost. Specific inquiries may be directed to the competition chair. 

Candidates must provide their own accompanist to play the orchestral accompaniment reduction for the competition, OR notify the BBCO on the application form of the need to utilize the BBCO’s accompanist.

There is a $20 non-refundable application fee. The application deadline is January 23, 2026.

The competition is January 31, 2026, from 9am-1pm at FAMU. (More Information to Follow)