The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association is accepting applications for young musicians in the Martha McCrory Young Artists Competition.
Area instrumentalists and vocalists in grades 10 through 12 are invited to participate in the 71st Annual Young Artists Competition on Saturday, Dec. 13. The winner(s) of this regional contest will receive a $300 cash prize and will perform as a guest soloist with the Quincy Symphony on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
The purpose of the competition is to allow outstanding high school musicians to perform as a concert soloist, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Such a performance can be a springboard to a lifelong commitment to the arts. The winners also receive special publicity which can improve their higher education scholarship opportunities.
The annual Young Artists Concert showcases outstanding musicianship, offering a rare and rewarding experience for performers, audiences, and orchestra members alike.
“There is so much young talent in our community, and we encourage students to seize this opportunity,” says Jane Polett, Executive Director of the QSOA. “While busy schedules sometimes keep students from entering, the chance to perform as a soloist with a symphony orchestra is truly rare. Past winners will tell you—the dedication and preparation are absolutely worth it.”
The competition is named for Quincy native Martha McCrory, an accomplished cellist and music educator. A performer with major orchestras nationwide, she also co-founded the renowned Sewanee Summer Music Festival, now one of the country’s premier training programs for young musicians. In 1997, she established the Martha McCrory Foundation to support and inspire the next generation of performers—a legacy that continues today through its enduring support of the QSOA’s Young Artist Competition.
The competition is open to current 10th-12th graders who attend school within a 70-mile radius of Quincy. The deadline for applications is Friday, Nov. 14, and is strictly enforced. Application forms, competition rules, and procedures are available at www.qsoa.org, or by calling the Symphony Office at 217-222-2856.
The auditions will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at First Union Congregational Church and are open to the public. Audience members should enter the building from the parking lot on the north side of the church and will be given a brief introduction to the procedures and protocol of the competition.
The Young Artists Competition is partially supported by Encore! Volunteer Council, the estate of Martha McCrory, and by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
