Procedures:
- Fill out application under “Apply”.
- Submit entry fee of $150.
- A maximum of 10 contestants from each category will be selected by a screening jury in March.
- In-person final round to take place between May 16 – 18, 2025 at the University of Arkansas.
- 5 additional applicants will receive invitations to attend and participate in person as a fellow.
Categories and Eligibility:
- Currently enrolled high school students.
- Currently enrolled college students.
Preliminary: Video Link Submission
- College Division: 20 minutes of music, free choice of repertoire.
- High School Division: 15 minutes of music, free choice of repertoire.
In choosing music, please bear in mind that our competition is committed to providing a platform for musicians to express their creative voices and unique identities. We strongly encourage versatile programming. We are interested in discovering the whole musician.
Finals: In-Person
- College Division: 20 minute program including verbal presentation, free choice of repertoire.
- High School Division: 15 minute program including verbal presentation, free choice of repertoire.
Performance, presentation, speaking and innovative programming will all contribute to the selection of the winners.
Examples of the talking portion may include such things as verbal program notes for the repertoire, personal stories about what led the performer to these particular pieces of repertoire or composers, or even creative elements such as reciting poetry, or projecting visual art with commentary.
Prizes:
- First Prize: $1,000 Collegiate, $1,000 High School
- Second Prize: $750 Collegiate, $750 High School
- Third Prize: $500 Collegiate, $500 High School
- Diversity Music Ambassador Prize: $1,000