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.

2026 APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please check back in January 2026 for information about Young Stars of Maine Prize Program auditions and application process.

ELEGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

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

2026 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/Winds

Prize of $1000 - Open to solo cellists or wind players (with the exception of flute). 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 - $500 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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2025 Winners

The A.H. Chatfield Junior Piano Prize: Erik Joseph Frey, piano

The Glenn Jenks Future in Music Prize: Ronan Sands, cello

The Jean and Harvey Picker Senior Prize: Heath Kennedy, tuba

The Elsie Bixler Junior Prize: Alden Gilg, violin

Summer Cello/Winds Prize: Noah Smith, clarinet

The Ezra Rachlin Prize for Excellence: Kayleigh Tolley, mezzo-soprano

The Anna Bereziuk and Lindley Wood Prize for Ensemble Endeavors: Carson Dunn, Annabel Garvan-Soto, Calista Post, violins and Ava Trout, cello

Honorable Mention: Brandon Bercian, piano, Dakota Jones, alto-sax, Samuel Ivey, trumpet

2024

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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