Location: A Room TBD (Wilmington Campus) | 4101 Washington Street, Wilmington, DE, 19802

Description:

2026 Competition for Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano, and String Quartet 

Compositions for combinations of violin, viola, cello, piano, and string quartet. Prizes are awarded for outstanding solo and chamber music works in up to three age categories (ages 12 and under, 13–15, and 16–18). Prizes and certificates will be awarded, in addition to a grand prize scholarship of one year of composition lessons at the Music School. Music School faculty members and guests will perform winning pieces live in concert (exceptions may be necessary).    

IMPORTANT DATES 
Application Deadline (including application fee):  Wednesday, July 1, 2026 by 8:00pm
Mandatory Application Materials: Composition score, composer bio, video/recording of the composition or MIDI file  
Performance/s: Throughout the 2026-2027 Academic Year
Application Fee: $75; no Summer Processing Fee  
Playing Time: Each candidate’s piece should be between 2 and 8 minutes long. 

Age Categories (as of date of audition): 
I: ages 12 and under 
II: ages 13–15 
III: ages 16–18 

Rules 

• Students must complete the online registration form and pay the application fee to enter. 
• Students must submit a solo or chamber music piece for combinations including violin, viola, cello, piano, and string quartet.  No electronic music for the purposes of this competition. 
• Students must: (a) permanently reside in or study music in Delaware, or (b) permanently reside within 15 miles of the Delaware border. 
• If only one contestant applies in a category or if there is no qualified contestant, the judges may decide not to select a winner. 
• Cash prizes and certificates may be awarded to the winners in each category. The number of prizes awarded is at the discretion of the judges. 
• The judges reserve the right to not assign any prizes. 
• The decision of the judges is final. 
• All winners will be announced on the Music School website, newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram. 
• Cash prizes and certificates will be mailed. 

Available spots: Available

Price: $75.00 Taxes waived

Required age: 12 - 18 years old on the day of the activity

Tags: Age - Youth Age - Teens Competition Composition

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