CONROE, Texas – Nov. 21, 2017 – Now in its 34th year, the Young Texas Artists Music Competition is accepting applications to be a part of its three-day classical music event to be held March 8-10, 2018, at the Crighton Theatre at 234 North Main St. in Conroe, Texas.
Photo by Dave Clements, DWC Photography courtesy of Young Texas Artists Inc.
To celebrate and support the Lone Star State’s classical musicians, Young Texas Artists coordinates the annual competition for artists who are Texas residents or students enrolled in a Texas college, university or music school and are between the ages of 18 and 32.
“It’s always so encouraging to meet and learn about the talented young Texans this competition brings to our city,” said Susie Pokorski, YTA president and CEO. “We love hosting the competition and, in an effort to help these talented musicians succeed, have initiated a career development program for our rising Texas stars.”
Offering four divisions: Voice; Piano; Strings; and Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar, the competition provides a venue in which the best of Texas’ classical musicians compete for a share of $20,000 in cash prizes and a number of performance opportunities.
“YTA recognizes the value of our state’s classical musicians and strives to continue to expand the genre’s popularity by offering support to those artists whose hard work and perseverance have firmly set them among the best the state has to offer,” said Emelyne Bingham, YTA artistic director.
As an added value to the performers striving for a career in classical music, a panel of five judges – esteemed leaders in their respective disciplines – will provide written critique to all competitors. Past panelists have hailed from such respected institutions as Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Juilliard School, The Metropolitan Opera, Eastman School of Music, Santa Fe Opera, Manhattan School of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music.
Preliminary rounds of the competition, which are free and open to the public, will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 8, 9 and 10, 2018.
The Finalists’ Concert and Awards, featuring the top two performers from each category will be held at the Crighton Theatre in Conroe on Saturday evening, March 10, 2018. Gold and Silver Medals will be awarded for each division, and Grand Prize and Audience Choice awards also will be presented.
Complete information, application forms and eligibility requirements are available at ytamc.com. All submissions, including the application, required fees and materials, must be received by Dec. 31, 2017. Contact Young Texas Artists Music Competition at info@ytamc.com or 713-574-9820 for more information.
The annual Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala will be held the evening of the Finalists’ Concert and Awards. Tickets to the gala and Finalists’ Concert and Awards are available at crightontheatre.org.
For sponsorship information, contact Susie Pokorski at 936-756-7017 or susiepokorski@gmail.com.
About the Young Texas Artists Music Competition
An official music competition of the State of Texas, Young Texas Artists, Inc. has, since its founding in 1983, encouraged excellence in young musicians, inspired their audiences and helped further the careers of thousands of young classical musicians. It is one of the few competitions in the country that features four divisions: Voice; Piano; Strings; and Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar. This Texas competition for Texas artists has helped produce many distinguished professionals who have gone on to join orchestras, opera companies, universities and music schools around the world. The Young Texas Artists Music Competition is a member of the Greater Conroe Arts Alliance.