2026 Concerto Competition
for High School Musicians

The First Coast Wind Symphony and Jacksonville University are pleased to announce the FCWS 2026 Concerto Competition for High School Musicians. This 15th annual young artist event is designed to promote music education in Florida by providing talented students an opportunity to perform a solo work with wind symphony.

The winner will be chosen through a competitive audition process, and will perform with the First Coast Wind Symphony in concert on April 26, 2026 at Jacksonville University. The winner will receive a $1,500.00 cash award. The second-place student will receive a $500.00 award.

Eligibility

The concerto competition is open to woodwind, brass or percussion musicians enrolled in a Florida high school (grades 9-12.) Previous concerto winners are not eligible to apply again.

Application Guidelines

• Applicants must provide an unedited video recording with piano accompaniment of the first or last movement of a work for their instrument, or a complete work of about 8-12 minutes. Repertoire selected by the applicant must exist as a published band arrangement available for sale (not for rent). Consult the approved repertoire list provided for suggestions. Applicants may also post a video recording on YouTube or provide a download link from cloud storage. Send the link (or any questions) to
  Artie Clifton: artieclifton@fcwinds.org.

• Application form and non-refundable $35.00 application fee (check payable to First Coast Wind Symphony) must be postmarked by March 1, 2026 and sent together to: Artie Clifton, FCWS Concerto Competition Committee, 3842 Musket Trail, Jacksonville, FL 32277.

• Applicants will be notified by March 8th regarding their selection as a finalist in the live audition.

• Live auditions will be held before a selection committee at Jacksonville University on Sunday, March 15. Finalists are required to provide their own accompanist for the audition. Finalists are encouraged, but not required, to perform from memory.

• The winner will be announced by March 18. The decision of the judges is final.