50th Annual Young Artist Awards Competition Seeks Musicians

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Calling all young Palisadian instrumentalists: Palisades Symphony Orchestra is seeking applicants for music scholarships and the chance to play with the symphony in concert on Sunday, June 14.

Auditions for the Palisades Symphony Orchestra’s 50th Annual Young Artist Awards Competition are open to students who reside or attend a school located in Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, Topanga and Brentwood. Former winners are not allowed to apply with the same instrument, in the same grade level.

Individuals auditioning must be able to perform a movement of a concerto with orchestra; the concerto must be from the standard repertoire and the chosen movement must be memorized.

First place winners from grade levels first through sixth will receive $100, first place winners from grade levels seventh through ninth will receive $200, and first place winners from grade levels 10 through 12 will receive $200 as well.

In addition to those awards, the Alfred Newman Memorial Scholarship will be given for $1,000 and the Chamber Music Palisades Award for $500. Former winners are allowed to apply for these scholarships.

Eva Holberg, president and manager of Palisades Symphony, shared that the main difference this year is that the competition will not be held at Palisades Charter High School. Auditions will be on Tuesday, March 31, at Palisades Lutheran Church (located at 15905 Sunset Blvd.) and students are required to bring their own accompanist.

The Symphony will be choosing judges from the music profession, and all decisions will be final.

Audition applications do not require a particular form, but must include the applicant’s name, address, zip code, phone number, age, school and grade level. There is an application fee of $10.

A brief must also be included providing prior musical training and experience, the name of the current instrumental teacher and what the contestant has prepared to perform.

The deadline to apply is March 24 and individual audition times will be made available after Saturday, March 29.

For additional information, call 310-454-8040.