Young musicians are invited to compete for cash prizes and the chance to perform with the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra!
Space is limited. Apply now!
(Entries submitted after the deadline or after competition capacity will be subject to a waitlist for potential openings)
2026 Competition Information
Date:
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10am-3pm
(Individual time slots will be assigned after registration is closed)
Location:
Northern Illinois University
Boutell Recital Hall
550 Lucinda Ave, DeKalb, IL 60115
Entry Fee: $50 non-refundable
Deadline: Register on or before November 1, 2026
Cash prizes are awarded to the top three competitors, and the first prize winner is expected to perform with the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra at its spring performance on Sunday, May 2, 2027.
1st Prize
$350 and appearance as soloist with the RSYO on their Spring Concert
2nd Prize
$250
3rd Prize
$150
Applicants must be 18 years of age or younger as of the competition date.
Entries will be accepted in Piano, Strings, Voice, Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion.
For the purpose of the audition, the competition piece should not exceed 10 minutes (excerpts acceptable) and must be appropriate to perform with a youth orchestra, such as a movement from a concerto or an aria for voice. The RSYO reserves the right to determine suitability and may contact the applicant if their piece is deemed unsuitable for any reason. The final performance piece may be up to 15 minutes.
The competition piece does not need to be memorized.
The applicant is responsible for obtaining their own accompanist.
The applicant must bring three copies of their music for the judges.
An entry fee must accompany the application.
Performances will be open to the public and may be recorded.
Competition Guidelines
Past Winners
Kenneth Gallwas, piano
Ludwig Van Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37
2025
2024
Joseph Gallwas, piano
Edvard Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor
2023
Selina Wen, piano
Camille Saint-Saëns - Piano Concerto No. 2
2022
Sofia Radovic, violin
Sergei Prokofiev - Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor
Zoe Hart, flute
W.A. Mozart - Concerto No. 2 in D major
2021
2020
Elena Stavropoulos, piano
Edvard Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor
2019
Claire Arias-Kim, violin
Antonin Dvořák - Concerto in A minor
2018
Kodai Speich, piano
Robert Schumann - Piano Concerto
2017
Annaliesa Caswell, violin
Edward Lalo - Symphonie Espagnol, Op. 64
Anna Stenzel, violin
Camille Saint-Saëns - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
2016
Margaret O'Malley, violin
Max Bruch - Concerto No. 1 in G Minor for Violin and Orchestra
2015
Sofiya Kyrylyuk, violin
Camille Saint-Saëns - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
2014
2013
Kristiana McCombs, cello
Dmitri Kabalevsky - Cello Concerto No. 1
2012
Joanna Nerius, violin
Felix Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto in E minor
2010/11
Hannah Bingham, violin
Felix Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto, Op. 64
2009
Genevieve Smelser, violin
Edward Lalo - Symphonie Espagnol, Op. 64
2008
Colette Metras, French horn
Camille Saint-Saëns - Morceau de Concert
Sam Battista, violin
Samuel Barber - Concerto for Violin, Op. 14; Allegro molto, moderato
2007
Kyle Krause, piano
Felix Mendelssohn - Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor
2006
2005
Hellen Weberpal, cello
Edward Elgar - Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85