2023 YOUNG CHAMBER MUSICIANS COMPETITION ANNOUCEMENT
December 14, 2022
Dear YCMC Community,
I’m writing today to share with you that WDAV Classical Public Radio will not hold its annual Young Chamber Musicians Competition in 2023. We’re pausing YCMC this year because we’re pursuing other objectives in the short term, and evaluating how or whether to continue the competition in the future. The decision to pause YCMC was not reached lightly as we know that this annual event is anticipated by many.
WDAV is grateful for the many musicians, coaches, jurors, and volunteers who have given their time and talent to YCMC over the years. We are proud of the contribution YCMC has made to keeping chamber music vibrant, inspiring, and welcoming for talented young ensembles and fans alike. Rest assured, WDAV is committed to continuing this work as we map out our future.
With gratitude,
Will Keible
Director of Marketing & Corporate Support
WDAV Classical Public Radio
2022 YOUNG CHAMBER MUSICIANS COMPETITION
2022 FINALISTS
CONGRATULATIONS 2022 FINALISTS
WDAV was pleased to welcome four of the best young chamber ensembles in the U.S. to Davidson College for the competition finals on April 23 – 24, 2022.
Senior Division:
Kyklos Quartet
Trio Gaia
Junior Division:
Sycamore Trio
Aveta Trio

Kyklos Quartet
Senior Division
Division Runner-up
Left to right: Minchae Kim (violin), Yun Lee (violin), Nathaniel Hoyt (cello), and Arielle Fentress (viola)

Trio Gaia
Senior Division
Division Winner
Left to right: Grant Houston (violin), Andrew Barnwell (piano), Yi-Mei Templeman (cello)

Sycamore Trio
Junior Division
Division Winner, People’s Choice Winner
Left to right: Tobias Liu (violin), Grace Peng (piano), Brandon Leonard (cello)

Aveta Trio
Junior Division
Division Runner-up
Left to right: Eunseo Oh (violin), Elliott Kim (cello), Sarah Yuan (piano)

COMPETITION TIMELINE
SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED
DECEMBER 15, 2021 – FEBRUARY 15, 2022
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION BY
JANUARY 31, 2022
Register and upload your performance videos
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
MARCH 2022
COMPETITION FINALS
APRIL 23 – 24, 2022
Finalists perform, winners selected
PRIZES
Senior Division
First Place: $3,500
+Two (2)-day studio recording session
+Paid performance on 2022-2023 Davidson College Concert Series
Runner-up: $1,750
Junior Division
First Place: $2,500
+Scholarships of $3,000 each to Brevard Music Institute for every member of the ensemble*
Runner-up: $1,250
People's Choice
*Acceptance into the Brevard Music Center is based on candidate’s application/audition and studio availability and is not guaranteed. Tuition scholarships may be applied to the summer of 2022 or 2023. Application fees for the Brevard Music Center will be waived for all WDAV Junior Division winners.
WHY ENTER YCMC ?
VIP Status
This is not a “cattle call” competition where ensemble after ensemble is paraded in front of the jury. The four ensembles selected to compete in the Finals are given VIP treatment from the moment they arrive in Charlotte. Transportation from the airport, lodging, several meals, and rehearsal space are covered by the competition.
Be Heard Around the World
YCMC Finals are broadcast live on WDAV – one of the top classical radio stations in the country. Your friends and family across the world can listen in from our website or mobile app. We’ll also be streaming live video of the competition on Facebook, Twitter, and this website!
Submissions are Easy
Online submissions are easy and quick. Plus, we only charge a $35 application fee.*
Fun
We’re all about FUN. Sure, competitions can be stressful, but since you’ve come all this way, let’s have a good time, too. You love classical music. We love classical music. This competition is all about the JOY OF PERFORMANCE!
*Contact WDAV if the $35 fee presents a financial challenge for your ensemble.
Who are we looking for?
The Young Chamber Musicians Competition is open to string and piano trio ensembles with musicians over the age of 14 with the average age of the ensemble remaining under 25. Ensembles must consist of 3-8 musicians.
What is required to enter?
Early Bird entry fee is $25 for all applications received by 1/31/21. A submission fee of $35 is charged for all applications submitted on or after 2/1/22.* All entries must be submitted via ycmc.wdav.org between December 15, 2021 and February 15, 2022. Entrants must submit two (2) separate classical music works of distinct styles and periods: 1770 and earlier (Baroque and earlier) 1770 – 1810 (Classical) 1811 – 1900 (Romantic) 1901 – present (Modern) Both works must include performance of at least one full movement of the piece in question. They must be the same works the ensemble will perform if selected as a finalist. The two works performed must be submitted as two separate videos. The camera angle of the video must be continuous; no editing is allowed. There is no limit to the length of the works submitted. However, the judges are not obligated to view more than the first 5 minutes of each submission.
*Contact WDAV if the $25 fee presents a financial challenge for your ensemble.
Who's eligible to participate?
Senior Division: The average age of an ensemble competing in the Senior Division must not exceed 25 years of age, with no individual member having reached their 31st birthday by April 24, 2022. * All members of the ensemble must perform on both selected works.
* Once the entry is submitted, changes in personnel are only allowed with the prior approval of WDAV.
Junior Division: Musicians between the ages of 14-18. All ensemble members competing in the Junior Division must not have reached their 19th birthday by April 24, 2022.
How will winners be selected?
A screening panel selected by WDAV will review all submissions and choose the best entries in each age group as finalists. Finalists will be invited to compete in a live competition which will take place at Davidson College the weekend of April 23 – April 24, 2022. The competition culminates with a live adjudicated concert in Davidson College’s Duke Family Performance Hall on April 24, 2022.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
After two years away due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of all participants and the surrounding community is our top priority during the YCMC 2022 competition finals weekend. Measures will be in place to ensure that all can enjoy the finals experience with transmission concerns at a minimum, including a requirement that all finalists must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement will also include confirmation that all eligible participants have received a booster dose.
If your ensemble is identified as one of the four finalists for this year’s competition, confirmation of each musician’s vaccination status will be mandatory before an announcement of selected finalists can be made, and all musicians will be required to show proof of full vaccination upon arrival in Charlotte, including proof of a booster dose if eligible.
Questions? Contact Us.
JUDGES
Dr. Mira Frisch
Associate Professor of Cello, Director of String Chamber Music
University of North Carolina – Charlotte
Marcus Thompson
Artistic Director, Boston Chamber Music Society
Institute Professor, Chamber Music, M.I.T.
Faculty, New England Conservatory of Music
NEWS
WDAV to Pause Young Chamber Musicians Competition for 2023
Dear YCMC Community, I'm writing today to share with you that WDAV Classical Public Radio will not hold its annual Young Chamber Musicians Competition in 2023. We're pausing YCMC this year because we're pursuing other objectives in the short term, and evaluating how...
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PAST COMPETITIONS
2020 Finalists
Due to the threat of COVID-19, WDAV’s 2020 Young Chamber Musicians Competition was cancelled.
Although the finals competition did not take place, the jury did complete its review of applications and announced the four ensembles who were selected to compete in the final round of the competition. They are as follows:
Senior Division:
Persée String Quartet
Elara Quartet
Junior Division:
Dasani String Quartet
The Bach Trio

Persée Quartet

Elara Quartet

Dasani String Quartet

The Bach Trio
2019 FINALISTS
Watch the 2019 Young Chamber Musicians Competition
Senior Division
Ivalas Quartet [WINNER]
Bora Quartet [RUNNER UP]
Junior Division
Dajj Quartet [WINNER]
Arcus Trio [RUNNER UP]
2018 FINALISTS
Watch the 2018 Young Chamber Musicians Competition
Senior Division
AYA Trio [WINNER]
Belka Quartet [RUNNER UP]
Junior Division
Bear Quartet [WINNER]
Quartet Callisto [RUNNER UP]
2017 FINALISTS
Watch the 2017 Young Chamber Musicians Competition
19-24 Age Group
Quartet Amí [WINNER]
Callisto Quartet [RUNNER UP]
14-18 Age Group
Quartet Bellezza [WINNER]
The Orion Trio [RUNNER UP]