Rossen Milanov, Music Director

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Romeo and Juliet

April 27, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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Young Musicians

We are here for young musicians.

Masterclasses

The Columbus Symphony’s Master Classes offer exceptional artists the opportunity to share their insight and inspiration with the community’s most talented young musicians. Young performers, 25 and under, are selected through recorded submissions.


The fee to apply is $10

Elina Vahala-Violin

Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 6PM | Ohio Theater-Rehearsal Room 1  

Natasha Peremski, Piano

Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 6PM | Ohio Theater-Rehearsal Room 1  

Thomas Mesa, Cello

Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 6PM | Ohio Theater-Rehearsal Room 1  

Apply here

The public is invited to attend Master Classes at no cost.

Masterworks Showcase

If you’ve ever come early to a Columbus Symphony Masterworks concert, you’ve probably seen some of our talented young musicians at work!

Young musicians from the central Ohio area are given the opportunity to gain valuable experience by performing in the Galbreath Pavilion before every Masterworks series concert. Performers include those who place at a high level in the Columbus Symphony Young Musicians Competition, students of CSO musicians, & select CSYO musicians. The Young Musicians Showcase begins approximately a half hour before the start of the concert. 

For more information please Contact
Director of Education, Meghan McDevitt
mmcdevitt@columbussymphony.com 

Young Musician Competition

  • Applications for the 2024
Competition are due by 5pm Sunday, January 28, 2024

The Young Musicians Competition provides an opportunity for students in grades 3-12 to perform for professional feedback from Columbus Symphony musicians and collegiate faculty from around central Ohio.


The Competition comprises three different divisions: Junior Division, Senior Division, and Concerto Division. The Junior and Senior Divisions are non-competitive, and participants receive professional feedback on their performance and musicianship. The Concerto Division is competitive and the winner will be the recipient of the Lois H. Allen Concerto Prize in the amount of $1,000, generously donated by the Friends of the Symphony.

Students who place high in the divisions may also have the opportunity to perform in the Ohio Theatre lobby prior to Columbus Symphony Masterworks performances.


Application fees will be due at the time of registration. Fees can be sent via mail. Performance times will be sent the week of February 12, 2024. If you do not receive your time by this deadline, contact the Education Programs Coordinator.

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repertoire suggestions (PDF)

Concerto Division

  • Application Fee $50


    Preliminary Video Submission Round: Sunday, January 28, 2024, 5pm


    In-Person Finalist Round: Saturday, March 2, 2024, 10 am–4 pm

This Division is intended for musicians in grades 8-12. The winner of the Concerto Division will be the recipient of the Lois H. Allen Award in the amount of $1,000 donated by the Friends of the Symphony. Musicians must receive approval from their private teachers to participate in this division. All participants will receive certificates and comment sheets from judges.


Applicants are to prepare one movement from a standard solo work with orchestral accompaniment (performed in both rounds with piano accompaniment). Selections must be no longer than 15 minutes. Applicants must provide their own accompanists. 


Each competitor’s preliminary video will be evaluated, and all participants will receive award certificates and comment sheets from the judges. The finalists will be notified by Friday, February 9, and will be assigned a time slot for the in-person Competition Finals on Saturday, March 2, 2024. 

Preliminary Round Video Submission Requirements

  • Students are asked to record ONLY THE EXPOSITION SECTION of their chosen piece without CADENZA.
  • Video should be shot in one continuous take.
  • Multiple videos or evidence of editing is prohibited. Videos that are suspected of editing will be disqualified.
  • Participants MUST have an accompanist for their recorded video to be considered.
  • Memorization in the preliminary round is not required.
  • To be eligible, completed videos should be uploaded via a provided Dropbox link no later than Sunday, January 28, 2024,
at 5pm.

In-Person Final Performance Requirements

  • Audition slots will be scheduled in 15-minute increments. If your piece is longer than the allotted time, you will be stopped by the judges due to time constraints. Abridged versions are not permitted.

  • Prepare a second solo or movement from a contrasting style period (i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th century) to be performed at the discretion of the judges if a tie-breaker is needed in the Final Round.
  • Participants MUST provide their own accompanists.
  • Memorization is required for the primary piece.
  • Two original music scores or parts must be provided for the judges, but you are encouraged to provide additional original scores. Photocopies are not permitted.
  • Tie-breaker selections do NOT need to be memorized. Two original scores or parts must be provided for the judges. Photocopies are not permitted.
  • Applicants must be available for the Final Round when registering for the Concerto Division.

Senior Division

  • Application Fee $40


    2024 Competition Performance Details: Strings, Woodwind, Brass, Piano, Percussion, and Harp – Saturday, March 2, 2024


    Applicants receive performance time between 10am–4pm

This Division is intended for musicians in grades 9-12. Participants receive feedback on their performance from musical professionals. No prize is awarded. All participants will receive certificates and comment sheets from judges. Participants who earn the highest ratings may be invited to perform as part of our Young Musicians Showcase.


Applicants are to prepare a single-instrument solo piece from a standard work or etude (such as OMEA Class A or B; upper-level Guild or OFMC), that is no longer than 15 minutes. Participants must provide their own accompanists for pieces requiring accompaniment. 

Junior Division

  • Application Fee $40


    Woodwind, Brass, Piano, Percussion, & Harp – Saturday, March 2, 2024. Applicants receive performance time between 10am-4pm. 
Strings – Saturday, March 2, 2024 or Sunday, March 3, 2024.

    Applicants receive performance time between 10am-4pm.

This Division is intended for musicians in grades 3-8. Participants receive feedback on their performance from musical professionals. No prize is awarded. All participants will receive certificates and comment sheets from judges. Participants who earn the highest ratings may be invited to perform as part of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Young Musicians Showcase.


Applicants are to prepare a solo piece from a standard work or etude that is no longer than 10 minutes. Participants must provide their own accompanists for pieces requiring accompaniment. 

Have a question or want to learn more? Contact 
Education Programs Coordinator, Nia Dewberry
ndewberry@columbussymphony.com | 614.221.5171