Classical Public Radio 89.9FM WDAV, in collaboration with OrthoCarolina, presents the Young Chamber Musicians Competition. Chamber ensembles are invited to compete for a chance to win their share of $12,000, a studio recording session, performance opportunities, and scholarships to the Brevard Music Institute.

COMPETITION TIMELINE

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SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED

DECEMBER 9, 2019 – FEBRUARY 19, 2020
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION BY
FEBRUARY 10, 2020
Register and upload your performance videos

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FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

MARCH 2020

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COMPETITION FINALS

APRIL 26, 2020
Finalists perform, winners selected

PRIZES

Senior Division

First Place: $4,000

+Two (2)-day studio recording session

+Paid performance on 2020-2021 Davidson College Concert Series

Runner-up: $2,000

Junior Division

First Place: $2,500

+Scholarships of $3,000 each to Brevard Music Institute for every member of the ensemble*

Runner-up: $1,500

People's Choice

$2,000 People’s Choice Award goes to the ensemble that earns the most votes from the audience in the hall and home through text-to-vote.

*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 2020 or 2021. Application fees for the Brevard Music Center will be waived for all WDAV Junior Division winners.

WHY ENTER YCMC ?

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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.

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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!

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Submissions are Easy

Online submissions are easy and quick. Plus, we only charge a $35 application fee.*

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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.

What are we looking for?

The Young Chamber Musicians Competition is open to chamber ensembles with musicians over the age of 14 with the average age of the ensemble remaining under 25. Ensembles must consist of 2-8 musicians. All instruments are eligible, excluding voice and all electronic/amplified instruments.

How do we participate?

Early Bird entry fee is $25 for all submissions received by 2/10/19. A submission fee of $35 is charged for all submissions after 2/10/19.* All entries must be submitted via ycmc.wdav.org between December 9, 2019 and February 19, 2020. 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 26, 2020. * 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 26, 2020.

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 25 – April 26, 2020. The competition culminates with a live adjudicated concert in Davidson College’s Duke Family Performance Hall on April 26, 2020.

SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR COMPLETE DETAILS [PDF]

Questions? Contact Us.

JUDGES

Alan Black

Principal Cello, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra,
Artist Associate in Cello & Chamber Music, Davidson College

Dr. Mira Frisch

Associate Professor of Cello, Director of String Chamber Music
University of North Carolina – Charlotte

Jason Posnock

Director of Artistic Planning & Educational Programs,
Brevard Music Center

David Russell

Anne R. Belk Distinguished Professor of Violin
University of North Carolina – Charlotte

Matthew Troy

Music Director and Conductor,
Western Piedmont Symphony

YCMC: Aspire to Greatness

NEWS

Classical Public Radio 89.9 WDAV Celebrates Winners of the 2019 Young Chamber Musicians Competition

Apr 17, 2019

DAVIDSON & CHARLOTTE, NC – Classical Public Radio 89.9 WDAV recently announced the winners of the 2019 Young Chamber Musicians Competition (YCMC), presented by OrthoCarolina. YCMC, now in its sixth year, is widely recognized as one of the top post-graduate,...