The Pasadena Community Orchestra conducts an annual competition to identify, assist and feature talented young musicians in the furtherance of their musical career and education.

The winner of the competition will appear as Guest Soloist with the Pasadena Community Orchestra on Friday, May 11, 2012 and receive a $500 cash award. Musicians between the ages of 16 to 25 years old are eligible to submit their application. The audition for the 2012 PCO Young Artist Competition will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012. Applications must be postmarked on or before January 21, 2012.

Musicians between the ages of 16 to 25 years old are eligible to submit their application.

To read more about 2011's Young Artist Competition Winner, Caitlin Kelley, please click here. To view the poster promoting her concert, please click here.

Prior Young Artist Competition winners include:

2011 Caitlin Kelley, violin

2010 Marina Chen, violin

2009 Solomon Liang, violin

2008 Kristina Jacinth, piano

2007 Vijay Venkatesh, piano

2006 Jennifer Chang, cello

2005 Alaina Bercilla, flute

2004 Michele Danielle Lee, piano

2003 Grace Cho, piano

2002 Michelle Lee, piano

2001 Shelly Ren, violin

2000 Kamil Musaev, cello

1999 Amy Bowers, trombone

1998 Julia Cser, violin

To access the Young Artist Competition Application, please click here.

Frieda Keck Young Artist Award Fund

Frieda was a long-time member of the Pasadena Community Orchestra in the second violin section, and served on the board of directors. She loved children and taught violin in her home for many years. After she passed away in 2007, we were surprised and honored to discover she had left us a very generous monetary gift.

In the spirit of her legacy of supporting young musicians, PCO is pleased to apply her generosity towards sponsorship of our annual Young Artist Competition.