Yamaha Competition Deadline Approaching

The 17th Annual Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition (YYPA) deadline for entries is approaching, with applications requiring a postmark date of March 14 or earlier. The competition is designed to provide early recognition to young musicians in the United States and serves as the inaugural event for the annual Bands of America Summer Symposium.

The competition is open to those between the ages of 16 and 21 who have been nominated by a university, private or studio teacher, conductor, director, professional performer or music dealer; sponsors must not be related to the nominee. Candidates must have a high level of musical achievement in solo appearances, awards, honors, scholarships and ensemble performances. An application form and complete details can be found at www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Documents/Education/YYPA-05.pdf.

Candidates must include recommendations from two people (not including the sponsor) and submit a CD recording of a recent solo performance with accompaniment. The recording must include performances of contrasting styles. The recordings will be judged by a panel of musicians including Bill Jackson, Mike Garson, Martha Mooke, Eugene Rousseau, Dave Samuels, Allen Vizzutti, Douglas Yeo and Jim Walker.

Since the YYPA’s inception in 1989, there have been more than 150 winners, many of whom are performers with jazz groups and symphony orchestras or educators at universities and conservatories. Past winners include saxophonist Otis Murphy, who is a faculty member at Indiana University; saxophonist Kenneth Tse, who is on faculty at the University of Iowa; Dominick Farinacci, who will graduate from Juilliard and is planning an album release and tours in Japan and the United States; and Walter Blanding, Jr., who is a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Originally Published March 3, 2005