Education Programs
Youth Concerto Competition
The Kathleen Price and Joseph M. Bryan Youth Concerto Competition is North Carolina’s premier performance competition for young instrumentalists. Candidates aged 13 to 23 hone their skills for a preliminary video audition viewed by the Symphony’s distinguished panel of judges. Select finalists in two age groups compete for cash awards.
Applications for the 2026 Kathleen Price and Joseph M. Bryan Youth Concerto Competition are now open!
Young Artist Division
(Ages 18-23)
First Prize: $1500
Second Prize: $1000
Junior Division
(Ages 13–18, not yet graduated from high school)
First Prize: $500
Second Prize: $250
Dates & Eligibility
- Preliminary Round: Video Submission
Videos due April 1, 2026 - Final Round: Live Audition
May (Date & Raleigh location TBD)
Must be a resident of North Carolina* or enrolled full-time in a North Carolina school or university
*NC residents who attend an out-of-state college/university are eligible to participate
Video Production Guidelines
- Applicants must perform a concerto movement from standard classical repertoire.
- Videos should be unedited.
Recordings must be from no earlier than March 31, 2025. - Set up your recording device horizontally (landscape orientation), no further than 10 feet away.
- Ensure the picture is clear and in sync with the audio.
- Recording should be made with one fixed camera angle/location, focused such that the performer and accompanist are visible at all times. A tripod is recommended.
- Entrants should not introduce themselves or announce the piece being recorded.
- Music must be memorized.
- Piano accompaniment is strongly recommended. If you need assistance finding a pianist, ask your studio or private teacher for local recommendations
2025 Winners
Young Artist Division
(Ages 18-23)
First Prize: José Sequeira-Martínez (violin), Chausson: Poème, Op. 25
Second Prize: Quenton Blache (cello), Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 107
Honorable Mention: Aidan Hartman (piano), Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
Junior Division
(Ages 13–18, not yet graduated HS)
First Prize: Eric Sun (piano), Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
Second Prize: Owen Burch (clarinet), Weber: Concertino for Clarinet in E, Op. 26
Honorable Mention: Elijah Chen (cello), Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
If you have questions about the Concerto Competition, please contact education@ncsymphony.org