| 2026 Instructions and Expectations |
Instructions for All Applicants (Instrumentalists and Vocalists)
- Applicants will perform, from memory, both the required piece and one piece of their choice. The optional piece should not exceed five minutes. NOTE: Please eliminate repeats on both the required and optional pieces.
- Applicants are judged on musicianship, tone quality, technical ability, stage presence, appearance, and memorization. Singers are also judged on languages and diction.
- Applicants will provide their own accompanist. If this presents a financial hardship, please contact the Scholarship Chair for assistance.
- Applicants may only audition on one instrument and win only one scholarship each year.
- Applicants are limited to a total of three scholarships in each division but may audition more than three times in each division.
- Notification of Winners: You will be contacted via the phone number and/or email you entered on your application as to whether or not you are selected by the Artistic Council for a scholarship within 24 hours of the auditions.
Auditions are NOT open to the public.
The decision of the judges is final.
The decision of the judges is final.
Expectations of Winners
- Scholarship winners in both the Junior and Senior divisions will receive a monetary award, along with a certificate, a professional headshot, recognition on our website and performance opportunities.
- The photo shoot, required of all winners, will take place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 12:30-3:00pm, location TBA. Group photos of all winners will be taken, along with individual head shots.
- All Scholarship Winners are required to perform at the Scholarship Winners Concert scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael. If a Scholarship Winner is unable to participate in the concert as required, they will receive recognition, the headshot and certificate, but not the monetary award.
- Winners designated as Young Artists (the top five winners) are invited to perform at the Young Artist Concert (in collaboration with Chamber Music Marin) scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church in Mill Valley. An honorarium is given to these performers.