Applications Now Live for 2025 Young Stars of Maine Program!

Young Stars of Maine Award

For over 60 years, Bay Chamber Concerts has awarded prizes to recognize, encourage, and reward young Maine music students who are serious in their study and performance of music.

2025 APPLICATION INFORMATION

APRIL 11, 2025 - APPLICATION DEADLINE - All applicants must submit an application form along with a $50 application fee. Applicants should submit two solo works or movements of contrasting styles. Each example should not exceed 10 minutes in length. Recordings should be submitted via video recording only (the online application offers a place to share recording links).

*Applicants applying as part of an ensemble should submit individual applications though only one $40 application fee is required.

APRIL 18, 2025 - Applicants will be notified about their acceptance to a live audition.

MAY 4, 2025, 10 AM-3 PM - Live auditions at Bay Chamber Concerts & Music School. Applicants will be allotted a 12-minute audition time between 10 AM-3 PM. Accompanists (when applicable) are strongly encouraged at live auditions. We have found that applicants are more successful when they bring an accompanist to the audition.

MAY 22, 2025, 7 PM - Prizewinners concert at Hammer Hall, 5 Mountain Street in Camden.

ELEGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• All applicants MUST be available to perform at the May 22 Prizewinner Concert.

• All applicants must be from Maine.

• Previous winners of a Young Stars of Maine award are not eligible in the same prize category; the same individual cannot win more than two prizes in any category.

Please email Josie Davis, josie@baychamber.org or call 207.236.2823 with questions.

2025 Prize Categories 

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Prize awards range between $500 and $1,000, in nine categories, for individuals and ensembles ages 12-25.

The Eleanor Erdman and Diane Nixon Vocal Excellence

Prize of $1000 - Open to solo vocalists. Age minimum: 12 years old, Age maximum: 25 years old.

The A. H. Chatfield, Jr. Piano

Prize of $1000 - Open to solo pianists. Age minimum: 14 years old, Age maximum: 22 years old.

Summer Cello

Prize of $1000 - Open to solo cellists. Age minimum: 15 years old, Age maximum: 24 years old.

The Jean and Harvey Picker Senior

Prize of $1000 - Instrumental or vocal, solo. Age minimum: 18 years old, Age maximum: 22 years old.

The Elsie Bixler Junior

Prize of $1000 - Instrumental, solo. Age minimum: 12 years old, Age maximum: 17 years old.

The Ann and Ezra Rachlin

Prize for Excellence of $1000 - Instrumental or vocal, solo. Age minimum: 16 years old, Age maximum: 25 years old.

The Nathan E. Corning Jazz

Prize of $1000 - Ensemble, instrumental or vocal solo. Age minimum: 15 years old, Age maximum: 23 years old.

The Glenn Jenks Future in Music

Prize of $1,000 - Open to mixed-genre instrumental, vocal or composition students, age 12-25, who wish to further their studies in the field of music. 

The Anna Bereziuk and Lindley Wood

Prize for Ensemble Endeavors - $1,000 award per musician. 3-5 musicians; Ages 25 and under, Classical, Jazz and/or Improvisation Ensemble. Ensemble applicants should submit individual applications though only one $40 application fee is required.

The award recognizes excellence in envisioning the composer’s intention, the composition’s demands and a shared teamwork in order to offer the audience a transformative experience.

Past winners

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2024 Winners

  • The Jean and Harvey Picker Senior Prize: Sara Levenson, flute

  • The Eleanor Erdman and Diane Nixon Vocal Excellence Prize: Isabella St. Cyr, soprano

  • The Glenn Jenks Future in Music Prize: Michael Bostock, piano

  • The Ezra Rachlin Prize for Excellence: George Taylor, violin

  • The Elsie Bixler Junior Prize: Benjamin Rosenthal, violin

  • The Anna Bereziuk and Lindley Wood Prize for Ensemble Endeavors: Carolyn Scholz and Eben Buck, violin, Sophia Scheck, viola and Diana Estes, cello

  • Summer Cello Prize: Lucinda Hirschkorn, cello

  • The A.H. Chatfield Junior Piano Prize: Logan Peters, piano

2023 Winners

  • The Jean and Harvey Picker Senior Prize: Mia Love, voice

  • The Eleanor Erdman and Diane Nixon Vocal Excellence Prize: Rosemary Crimp, voice

  • The Glenn Jenks Future in Music Prize: Benjamin Rosenthal, violin

  • The Ezra Rachlin Prize for Excellence: Sara Levenson, flute

  • The Elsie Bixler Junior Prize: Linnea Turesson, violin

  • The Anna Bereziuk and Lindley Wood Prize for Ensemble Endeavors: George Taylor & Amelie Hahn, violins, Diana Estes, cello, Eben Buck, viola

  • Summer Cello Prize: Ronan Sands, cello

  • The A.H. Chatfield Junior Piano Prize: Michael Bostock, piano