Applications are CLOSED for 2024. Check back in January 2025 for next year’s details.

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.

2024 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