2021 Promising Young Artist Competition

by | Feb 22, 2021 | Student News

2021 Promising Young Artist Competition

The La Sierra University Department of Music invites all high school juniors, seniors, or equivalent home-school students to participate in the 10th Promising Young Artist Scholarship Competition. Both instrumentalists and singers are invited to apply!

  • The first-place winner of the competition will receive a $10,000* scholarship to attend La Sierra University and a $500 stipend
  • The second-place winner will receive a $5,000* scholarship to attend La Sierra University and a $350 stipend
  • The third-place winner will receive a $2,000* scholarship to attend La Sierra University and a $150 stipend

*Scholarship awards are applied to qualifying tuition charges and may be adjusted depending on actual tuition balance due at the time of the award

Application/Qualifications

  • The student must be a high school senior (or equivalent home-school students)
  • The student must submit a letter of recommendation from his/her music instructor
  • Applications, repertoire, and audition videos will be reviewed by Department of Music Faculty until April 1, 2021.
  • Participants will be notified of winners no later than April 7, 2021.
  • The total length of the video submission should not exceed 15 minutes. Please use YouTube as the online video platform.
  • It is suggested that the student chooses two contrasting works that display lyric and technical ability or one large work that contains both (please see Repertoire Guideline section of the application).
  • Videos may not have been recorded prior to March 25, 2021 (proof must be shown in the video submission using cell phone or printed material that includes date). 
  • Videos must not be edited for sound and must be only in continuous take (single angle only). Angle must show full view of performer (face, arms, hands, etc).
  • Video submission can be emailed to danderso1@lasierra.edu. Please title subject head as “PYA 2021 Video Link”.
  • Complete applications including the $50 registration fee must be received no later than March 15, 2021. Applications can be filled and submitted at: PYA 2021 Application
  • Checks can be made out and sent to Department of Music: 4500 Riverwalk Parkway Riverside, CA 92505 – please write “Promising Young Artist” on the memo line.
  • Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Expectations

The top 3 prize-winners must abide by the following stipulations in order to fully redeem the amount of scholarship:

  • The student must be enrolled in at least ONE major ensemble and ONE chamber group each quarter.
  • The student must maintain a 3.2 GPA each quarter (must provide proof of GPA to the music dept. each quarter).
  • The student must take a minimum of 14 units each quarter.
  • The student must maintain good academic and citizenship standing.
  • Failure to abide by the agreed stipulations may lead to loss of their scholarship.
  • All scholarships must be coordinated with the student’s other financial aid awards and may be subject to adjustment.

For more information, please contact the Department of Music by emailing music@lasierra.edu or Dept. Chair Dr. Dean Anderson at danderso1@lasierra.edu.

 

Repertoire Guidelines

Vocal Applicants:

Applicants must be prepared to present three pieces in varying musical styles, in three different languages, one of which must be Italian:

    1. One Italian art song or aria
    2. One English art song or aria
    3. One selection of the applicant’s choice sung in any language. It may be from Broadway theatre repertoire.

*All selections must be performed from memory.

 

String Applicants:

Violin:

  • Fast movement from a 19th or 20th-century concerto
  • Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita
  • One concert piece of applicant’s choice

Viola:

  • One movement from any standard concerto (i.e. Walton, Bartok, Hindemith, Stamitz, Hoffmeister)
  • Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach solo suite (originally for cello)

Cello:

  • One movement from any standard concerto
  • Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach solo suite
  • One concert piece of applicant’s choice

Double Bass:

  • Two contrasting movements from a Baroque sonata (i.e. Vivaldi, Handel, Bach, Corelli)
  • One étude

 

Keyboard Applicants:

  • Bach, Prelude and Fugue, Toccatas, Fantasies, or selections from his suites (French, English, and Partitas)
  • A movement from a classical sonata
  • Your choice of repertoire from the Romantic or Contemporary period

*All selections must be performed from memory.

Wind & Percussion Applicants:

Winds:

  • Prepare two selections that are contrasting styles from different periods (personal compositions will not be accepted)

Percussion:

  • Prepare one selection demonstrating your technique and control on two of the following instruments that you play: snare drum, xylophone or marimba, timpani, and drum set.

*All selections must be performed from memory.

***Guidelines are subject to change. If you have any questions or concerns about the repertoire you plan to present please email MUSIC@LASIERRA.EDU.