Bolz Young Artist Competition

Preliminary Round: Saturday, January 5, 2019
Semi-Final Round: Sunday, January 13, 2019
Final Round: Wednesday, March 13, 2019 (The Final Forte)

Download brochure with timeline and rules

The Bolz Young Artist Competition is a highly-regarded statewide competition in which Wisconsin’s young musicians compete for scholarships and the opportunity to perform as soloists with the MSO. The competition is open to Wisconsin residents in grades 9-12 who play violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, harp, piano, percussion, saxophone, organ, or classical guitar. Previous winners may not compete in consecutive years on the same instrument. Contracted musicians of the MSO are ineligible.

The four semi-finalists compete in The Final Forte, which is broadcast on Wisconsin Public Television. Winners of the Bolz Young Artist Competition are featured as soloists with the MSO during the Spring Young People’s Concert. Each winner also receives a $2000 scholarship and the Marian Bolz Prize for Distinguished Musical Achievement or the Steenbock Youth Music Award. Up to two Honorable Mention scholarships of $1000 may also be awarded.

Contact MSO Director of Education and Community Engagement Kathryn Schwarzmann at kschwarzmann@madisonsymphony.org with any questions.

Thank you to our partners

The Bolz Young Artist Competition is made possible by a generous endowment from

The Eugenie Mayer Bolz Family Foundation

Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte concert and broadcasts are the result of a historic partnership among

Major funding provided by

Additional funding provided by

Special thanks to Farley’s House of Pianos for providing the pianos for our Young Artist Competition auditions