The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra announces the 2026 Paul and Loti Christensen Young Artist Competition, a prestigious national competition designed to identify and support exceptional young musical talent. This competition welcomes applicants across multiple instrumental categories including piano, strings, woodwinds, and brass.

Eligibility Requirements:
Participants must be 18 years old or younger as of January 1, 2027, and must be citizens or legal residents of the United States. All applicants are required to submit a birth certificate as part of their application materials.

Competition Structure:
The competition follows a two-stage process. First, applicants submit their materials for initial review. Nine finalists will be selected to advance to the finals competition scheduled for October 11, 2026. Finalists will perform before an esteemed panel of judges and compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Prizes and Performance Opportunity:
Winners will receive significant cash awards: Gold medalists receive $5,000, silver medalists receive $2,000, and bronze medalists receive $1,000. Beyond monetary prizes, all finalists earn the prestigious opportunity to perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on January 16 and 17, 2027.

Judging Panel:
The competition is adjudicated by accomplished professionals in the music industry, including Grammy Award-winner Zuill Bailey, violinist Philippe Quint, former artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center David Shifrin, Ken Selden of the Portland State University Orchestra, Concert Artists' Guild President Tanya Bannister, and Lucy Moses School director Igal Kesselman.

Application Details:
The entry fee is $100. The application deadline is 4 p.m. on July 15, 2026. Complete details and the application portal are available at vancouversymphony.org/young-artists-competition.