Thoreson Steffes Young Artists Solo Competition
Thanks to the generous support of Thoreson Steffes Trust Company, the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony is excited to announce the 2026 Young Artist Solo Competition.
The competition is now held every fall and the high-school winner will perform with FMSO at the January Masterworks concert.
Eligibility: Open to High School and undergraduate College students living within a 100-mile radius of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony office (808 3rd Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103).
Final performance piece is subject to orchestral part availability.
2026 Competition details
Competition: October 24, 2026 at MSUM
Performance: January 16 & 17, 2027 at NDSU Festival Concert Hall with FMSO
Repertoire Change Deadline: September 4, 2026
Application Deadline: September 18, 2026
Please note: previous competition winners are ineligible for future participation
Awards
High School
First Place- $1,500 + performance with the FMSO at Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra on January 16 & 17
Second place- $1,000
College
First Place- $1,000
Second place- $500
THANK YOU
Congratulations to the winners of the October 2026 Thoreson Steffes Young Artists Solo Competition!
High School Division
1st Place - Vedant Srivatava, trombone
2nd Place - Oliver Tackling, violin
Collegiate Division
1st Place - Madelyn Tyson, piano
2nd Place - Jack Mathews, tenor trombone
Congratulations to each and every student who participated in the 45th Annual Young Artists Solo Competition.
We are grateful for the dedication, preparation, and musicianship displayed by all of the competitors. Thank you to our judges, families, teachers, collaborative pianists, and volunteers, as well as our longtime sponsor, Thoreson Steffes Trust Company, for helping make this annual event possible and for supporting the next generation of musicians.