The Mankato Symphony Orchestra announces the 2006-2007 Young Artist Competition on Saturday, April 14, 2007 for Violin, Viola, Cello and String Bass. The competition is intended to promote the growth of young musicians.

Contest Information
Contestants will compete in one of three divisions:
Senior Division - Grades 9-12
Intermediate Division - Grades 5-8
Open Division – K-Grade 12

Eligibility
Students at K-12 level who reside, take lessons or play in an orchestra in Region Nine are eligible. Region Nine includes the following Minnesota counties: Sibley, Nicollet, LeSueur, Brown, Watonwan, Blue Earth, Waseca, Martin, Faribault.

Audition Requirements

Senior and Intermediate Divisions
Contestants will audition with the piece they would expect to perform at an MSO Youth Concert. The piece must be less than 10 minutes long and must be for accompanied solo instrument. If the piece contains a cadenza, the cadenza must be performed. Contestants must provide their own accompanists for the audition. Contestants must provide one copy of music for the judges, solo part only. The contestant's name should not be on the music. Photo copies are not acceptable. Contestants must perform the entire piece from memory.

Open Division
There will be no ranking for this division. Each participant will receive comments from an adjudicator and a certificate of participation. The piece must be less than 5 minutes long, and must be memorized. Contestants must provide their own accompanists for the audition, if needed.

Prizes
There will be prizes in the Senior and Intermediate Divisions. In addition, the top contestant (Grand Prize winner) might be asked to perform at an MSO Youth Concert on May 11, 2007, either with or without the orchestra. The Grand Prize winner from last year’s competition will not be eligible for this year’s Grand Prize.

Application Deadline
Entries must be postmarked by February 15, 2007. Send entries to:

The Mankato Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition P. O. Box 645 Mankato, Minnesota 56002

Applications must include a $15 application fee. The application fee is non-refundable.
If you have questions, need more information or if financial concerns make the application fee a problem, please contact the Mankato Symphony office at 507.625.8880.

This activity is made possible by a grant provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council from funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature.

Please post this and feel free to make copies as needed.

CALENDAR
February 15, 2007 - Applications postmarked
March 15, 2007 - Contestants notified
April 14, 2007 - Competition (open to the public.) May 11, 2007 - Youth Concerts