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Young Artist Competition & Hester Scholarship

Download the Young Artist Competition and Hester Memorial Scholarship applications here.

Young Artist Competition

Prizes: $500, $250, $100, $75, $50

The First Place winner receives $500 and the opportunity to perform with the Orchestra at the DSSO Young People’s Concert. Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Place winners receive a cash award of $250, $100, $75 and $50 respectively and two complimentary tickets to a DSSO concert(s) of their choice.

Award Criteria

• Play orchestral instruments (includes piano)
• Reside or pursue musical studies in the Minnesota counties of Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Cook, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin; Wisconsin counties of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, Washburn (Wisconsin); all counties of Upper Michigan.
• Provide own accompanist
• The competition work must be one movement (only one) of a concerto or equivalent and must have orchestral accompaniment, in parts, which is also available for rental or purchase. The movement in its entirety must not be longer than 12 minutes in length, or it will not qualify for this contest.
• Provide three copies of the score or piano accompaniment for the audition performance (one for each of the three adjudicators).
• Memorization is required.

Past Winners Include:

2011    Sadie Hamrin
2010    Rebecca Yeh
2009    Eric Haugen
2008    Molly Schull
2007    Casy Rafin
2006    Melanie Younger
2005    Michael Alexander
2004    Heather Faerber
2003    Nikki Lemire and Evan Premo
2002    Xing Quan
1999    Katie Lanzer

Hester Memorial Scholarship

The Hester Memorial Scolarship of $275 was established in honor of William Hester, a greatly admired violinist, pianist, teacher, and former member of the Duluth Superior Symphony.

Hester Award Criteria

• Must be a member of a higher division of the Youth Orchestras (Concert Orchestra or Youth Symphony)
• The funds are to be used for private study.
• Auditionees may provide their own accompanist or the Symphony Association will provide one at no cost.
• Submit an application. There is no application fee for the Hester Scholarship unless you also plan to audition for the Young Artist Competition.
• The competition selection must be one movement from a concerto or equivalent.
• The movement must be no longer than 10 minutes in length.
• Three scores or three piano accompaniments must be provided for the three judges.
• Memorization is required.

Past Winners Include:

2011    Anya Muench
2010    Alia Gribbon
2009    Alia Gribbon
2008    Benjamin Holt
2007    Rebecca Gruskin
2006    Jonas Benson
2005    Melanie Younger