Young Artist Competition Announced - the Violin! WSO Announces the 2026 Thomas C. Clark, Young Artist Competition
- marketing7373
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition is a unique opportunity for
serious young instrumentalists aged 18 to 26 years old, from continental United States, to
compete for a $2,000 prize and a coveted solo performance with the full Waterbury Symphony
Orchestra in Northwest Connecticut.
Endowed by WSO’s current board chair, Mr. Thomas C. Clark, each year WSO’s Music Director, Maestro Leif Bjaland and Mr. Clark carefully select one
instrument for the focus of the competition. In 2026, the competition will be centered on the
violin, and the chosen applicants will be asked to perform Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
WSO's Executive Director, Doug Donato shares about the importance of this competition,
"I am thrilled to extend a special invitation to talented violin students, aged 18-26, to participate in the prestigious WSO’s 2026 Thomas C. Clark Young Artist Competition.
The competition represents a trememdous opportunity for emerging artists to demonstrate their prowess and gain a significant performance opportunity. The selected winner will have Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 with the Symphony on May 17th, 2026 and receive a $2000 prize."
Those interested in applying, can download the WSO YAC Competition Flyer and the Invitation to Apply, along with the Application Form. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 20th, 2026 and the Audition/Competition is scheduled for Sat, March 7th, 2026 in Waterbury, Connecticut.
About WSO's Thomas C. Clark Young Artist Initiative
Each year, the Waterbury Symphony hosts an event for emerging instrumentalists as part of its new Young Artist Chamber Series and the Young Artist Concerto Competition - two treasured parts of the Thomas C. Clark Young Artist Initiative. Each year, the Clark Initiative focuses on a different orchestral instrument and a specific standard repertoire concerto.
Mr. Clark, now Board Chair, endowed these programs in 2019. With many years of experience serving on the boards of orchestras and performing arts organizations, Mr. Clark knows well the significance of this type of opportunity for young musicians for its performance, monetary, and credential values. “Having been involved for a long time with emerging musicians, I know how important it is for them to demonstrate their prowess in a performance with a symphony orchestra. The prize fund is a named endowment with real and enduring value for the winners and the Symphony. I’m happy that the Prize will advance these young artists throughout their musical careers,” Mr. Clark explains.
Prior year competition winners are cellist Yun Han in 2019, violinist Yoon Be Kim in 2020, and following the COVID lockdown, pianist Homan Cheng in 2023, clarinetist Chris Dechant in 2024, and saxophonist Rimas Stapusaitis in 2025.
About Waterbury Symphony Orchestra: Creating music since 1938, the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra’s core belief is that music, music education and shared cultural experiences are essential for humanity.
Three primary strands of the WSO include its MasterWorks Classical Concerts including its annual Symphony & Cinema Concert, its prodigious satellite performances of innovative concerts and smaller ensembles, and finally their celebrated educational programs for libraries, schools, and underserved communities.
Led by Leif Bjaland, now in his 30th season, WSO draws over one hundred talented professional musicians from across New England.
As orchestra in residence of the Fine Arts Center, Naugatuck Valley Community College, the Waterbury Symphony wishes to acknowledge the partnership of NVCC and the enduring legacy of the generosity and vision of Ruth Ann Leever.
For more information by telephone, call 203-574-4283 For tickets online, visit: waterburysymphony.org For ticketing by phone: 203-346-2000*
*Via box office partner, Palace Theater Ticketing Office