2025 Young Artist Competition
Supported by
Eligibility: Competition participants must not have reached the age of 27 as of June 30, 2025.
Application: Deadline for the submission of application materials is April 1, 2025. Watch this space for application information.
Young Artist Competition Coordinator: Christopher Nichols – [email protected]
Preliminary Round Contest Rules
1. Application Fee: $50 USD. All applicants must be regular members of the ICA and submit the Competition Application. Non-members wishing to apply may join the ICA and become a regular member. Join now! The application fee is non-refundable. Payment can be made at the following link: https://beeid.org/909d9c6b40fa
2. A photocopy of the contestant’s driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate as proof of age.
3. Both the private teacher, if any, and the contestant attest in a separate written and signed statement that the video recording is the playing of the contestant and has not been edited.
4. A summer mailing address, telephone number, and email address should be provided. Email is the preferred means of communication. Please check your email regularly as this is how you will be contacted.
5. Recording Instructions: Please provide a high-quality video recording containing all repertoire in the exact order as listed in the competition announcement. Record unedited, separate videos for each piece. Multi-movement works should be recorded in a single video. Please be aware that the quality of the recording will influence the judges. Make sure your upper body profile is visible, including your full face and fingers. For the adjudication process, audio files will be extracted from the videos by the ICA to ensure impartiality.
Preliminary Round Repertoire:
1. Krzysztof Penderecki: Prelude for Clarinet Solo
2. Choose one of the following:
(a) Reynaldo Hahn Sarabande et thème varié (any edition)
(b) Phillipe Gaubert Fantasie (any edition)
(c) Augusta Holmes Fantasie (any edition)
Piano is required for the Hahn, Gaubert and Holmes.
At ClarinetFest®:
Semi-Final Round
The following repertoire will be required of all semi-finalists:
1. Johannes Brahms: Sonata in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1 – Mvts. II and IV (any edition)
2. Jenni Brandon: Starry Night – Mvt. 1 – The Starlight Night
A special edition of Jenni Brandon’s Starry Night – Mvt. 1 – The Starlight Night is available at a discounted rate to competitors at the following link: http://jennibrandon.com/product/the-starlight-night-clarinet
All semi-finalists will receive a 30-minute rehearsal with a conference pianist at ClarinetFest® or may bring their own pianist at their own expense.
Final Round:
The following repertoire will be required of all finalists:
1. Scott McAllister: Black Dog
ICA Young Artist Competition applicants may e-mail [email protected] to request a complimentary PDF edition of the clarinet and piano version, courtesy of the composer.
All finalists will receive a 30-minute rehearsal with a conference pianist at ClarinetFest® or may bring their own pianist at their own expense.
Judging
Judging of recordings will be conducted with no knowledge of the contestant. Do not include any identification on your video files. There should be no speaking on the recording such as announcing compositions.
Preliminary judging will be by recorded audition. Notification of semi-finalists will be sent by May 1, 2025.
The semi-final and final rounds will be held at ClarinetFest® 2025.
Each Semi-finalist will receive a waiver of registration fees for ClarinetFest® 2025 and a $500 Travel Grant provided through the generous support of The Walder Foundation. Travel and other expenses will be the responsibility of the contestant. Visa and travel arrangements are solely the responsibility of the contestant.
A conference pianist will be provided for competitors in the semi-final and final round. If a competitor brings their own pianist, it will be at their own expense. Memorization is not required. All contestants will accept the decision of the judges as final. Past first-prize winners are not eligible to compete. All recordings will become the property of the ICA.
Prizes
First prize – $5,000 USD; the ICA will also feature the first prize winner in a solo performance at its 2026 conference.
Second prize – $2,000 USD
Third prize – $1,000 USD
Financial aid for the application fee may be offered for students in need; please email [email protected] for more information.