Each spring, the orchestra hosts a Young Artist Competition open to Colorado high school students. Participants play a movement of a concerto and receive feedback from a panel of judges. The winner receives a cash prize and performs their piece with the orchestra at our final concert of the season!
Audition Details
Saturday, March 14th, 2026
King of Glory Lutheran Church
2919 Wilson Ave, Loveland, CO 80538
Winner Receives
Heather Cowan Memorial Award
$2000 cash prize sponsored by the Cardonne family
and a performance with The Loveland Orchestra on May 1st, 2026!
Applications due February 14th at 11:59pm
Application Fee: $50 Late Submissions: $75
Rules
AUDITION DATE: All applicants must audition in person on this day. No alternative arrangements are possible.
PARTICIPATION: Application does not guarantee a performance slot in the competition. Additional screening may be required, depending on the number of applicants.
PARENTAL PERMISSION: Applicants must submit the Parental Permission Form, signed by a parent if they are under 18.
CATEGORIES: Piano, String, Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Solo Instruments.
ELIGIBILITY The competition is open to Colorado high school students in grades 9 through 12. Winners in any given year may not compete again the following year. However, those who receive Honorable Mention may compete the following year.
AUDITION: Contestants must perform one movement of a concerto or major work that regularly appears in concert repertoire and for which the music for the orchestra would be readily available. If in doubt about your selection, contact The Loveland Orchestra. Performance time should be limited to under 15 minutes. No taped auditions will be accepted. All music must be memorized.
ACCOMPANIST: All entries must be accompanied and all entrants MUST provide their own accompanist. There are two pianos at the audition site.
GENERAL: One published score of the music (with measures numbered) must be provided to the judges. Due to copyright laws, reproductions of the music by hand or machine cannot be used by the performer, the accompanist, or the judges. UNAUTHORIZED COPIED MUSIC IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL DISQUALIFY THE CONTESTANT. Please consult current fair-use copyright laws for works in the public domain or contact The Loveland Orchestra directly with your questions.
PRIZES: Judges will select one winner who will receive a $2,000 cash award and perform with The Loveland Orchestra.
Decisions by the judges are final and are not negotiable by the participants, their parents, or their teachers.
FEE & APPLICATION DEADLINE: The non-refundable fee (made payable to The Loveland Orchestra) must accompany the application. All entries must be postmarked by the due date listed above. The Loveland Orchestra is not responsible for late or misdirected mail due to weather, insufficient postage, or mislabeling.
MAKE A PAYMENT: In addition to completing the application form, applicants must also submit a non-refundable payment. Payment is due by February 14th, 2026.
Pay By Credit Card: (Includes a $1 online payment fee)
Pay By Check: Make payable to “The Loveland Orchestra.” Please send the check to:
The Loveland Orchestra
Young Artist Competition
P.O. Box 2577
Loveland, CO 80539
Application
Downloadable Flyer
Click here to download a PDF of our flyer! Orchestra teachers and private studios may want to post it for their students!
Questions?
Email us at info@lovelandorchestra.org!
Sign Up for Competition Updates!
Teachers, private instructors, parents, participants, and anyone else interested in our Young Artist Competition, sign up here to be notified about competition updates!
We will send a few emails per year- notifying you when applications open, application deadlines are approaching, and when we announce the winners!
Submitting this form will subscribe you to the Loveland Orchestra email list. You can unsubscribe at any time!