Applications now accepted for Young Texas Artists Music Competition

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS – Applications are now being accepted for the 31st annual Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTA) hosted by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society.

YTA is open to musicians between the ages of 18 and 32 who are Texas residents or students enrolled in a Texas college, university or music school. Professional performance opportunities and $20,000 in monetary prizes will be awarded.

The musicians compete in their choice of four divisions: Voice; Piano; Strings; and Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar. Unique to YTA, a panel of five distinguished judges, all esteemed leaders in their respective disciplines, will provide valuable, written critique to all competitors. Returning judges Becky Brown (artistic director, Da Camera Society of Texas), Roger Pines (dramaturg, Lyric Opera of Chicago) and Daniel Cataneo (pianist, faculty at the Dalcroze Institute at the Juilliard School) will be joined by Larry Hutchinson (bassist, Detroit Symphony Orchestra) and John Ellis (pianist, director of graduate studies in piano pedagogy, University of Michigan).

“Launching a performance career can be daunting. That’s why YTA exists,” said Emelyne Bingham, noted conductor, teacher and YTA artistic director. “YTA is here to provide young artists with a thoughtful critique from experienced judges who are top of their field. We are here to show our support to these students at a pivotal point in their studies and provide them with encouragement. We are here to show how music can forge new connections and unite an entire community.”

“For 31 years, the local music community in Conroe has opened their hearts – and their homes – to these young performers. Last year, nearly half of the competitors actually stayed in the homes of YTA volunteers,” said Susie Pokorski, YTA chair. “Many lasting friendships were started with this simple show of love and support.”

Preliminary rounds, which are free and open to the public, take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday (March 12, 13 and 14). The Finalists' Concert and Awards ceremony, featuring the top two finalists from each category will take place at the historic Crighton Theatre in Conroe on Saturday evening, March 14, 2015. Gold and Silver Medals will be awarded for each division, and a Grand Prize and Audience Choice award will be presented.

“I would recommend any young musician to take part in YTA,” said Allyson Goodman, 2013 YTA Grand Prize Winner and principal violist for the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. “It helped me on my professional journey by giving me performance experience I wouldn’t have otherwise had. YTA gave me the opportunity to further shape myself into the type of performer I strive to be.”

Complete information, application forms and eligibility requirements are available here. All submissions, including the application, required fees and materials, must be received by Dec. 31, 2014. Contact Young Texas Artists Music Competition at the email address provided below or 713-574-9820 for more information.

The third annual Bach, Beethoven and Barbecue gala will be held the evening of the Finalists' Concert and Awards. Tickets to the gala and Finalists' Concert and Awards are available at crightontheatre.org.