Civic Orchestra of Tucson
held its 38th Annual
Young Artists’ Competition
on Sunday, January 22, 2023

Please consider making a donation to support the 2024 Expanded Young Artists’ Scholarship Fund. Donate by credit card or mail a check to PO Box 42764, Tucson, AZ  85733.

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Congratulations to our 2023 Winners!

Talented musicians in Grades 3–12 compete for monetary prizes in these categories:
Strings  ~  Piano  ~  Harp  ~  Winds/Percussion  ~  Ensemble

Winners may be selected to perform their pieces in concert with the Civic Orchestra of Tucson.

Rules and Eligibility for 2023 are posted here as a reference. They may change in 2024.
2023 Rules and Eligibility

COT’s first Young Artists’ Competition (YAC) in 1984 was the only event of its kind in this area for high-school-age musicians. Other competitions in town were open to college-age students as well, so the younger children rarely had a chance to win the opportunity to perform.

Now in its 38th year, the competition has expanded to three categories: winds and percussion, piano and harp, and strings. Each category is judged separately with both a junior and a senior division. The competition offers students a good introduction to the audition process.

Winners gain public exposure and are awarded cash prizes. The event provides each entrant a unique learning experience, and music teachers from both studios and schools applaud the orchestra for this contribution to the young musicians’ development. To date, COT has hosted nearly 100 performances by students ranging from elementary to high-school age.

We will again offer an Ensemble category, the first of its kind in Tucson. Groups of 2 to 10 young musicians may apply together as an ensemble and perform a chamber work. Groups may consist of students in Grades 3–12. The selected piece should not require orchestral accompaniment.