The Hendersonville Symphony sponsors a yearly competition, the Young Artist Competition, for ninth through twelfth graders who are residents of Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Polk, Swain, Transylvania or Yancey counties. The auditions are on Sunday, February 24, 2013, and are held in the Patton Auditorium of Blue Ridge Community College in Hendersonville. Instrumentalists must memorize a movement from a standard concerto. Vocalists must memorize an aria from an opera, oratorio or a song from a song cycle.

The winner will perform with the Hendersonville Symphony on April 6, 2013 with Thomas Joiner as conductor. Prizes are $500 for the first place winner, and $300 and $200 for second and third place winners. Second and third place winners will receive a check to be presented at the concert. We welcome any students to our competition who have their teacher’s recommendation and are able to attend rehearsals the week of the concert. For more information please contact the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra Office at 828-697-5884. The deadline for 2013 applications has past. 

 The Hendersonville Symphony would like to thank Robert and Susan Laborde of the Laborde Eye Center for their sponsorship of this year's Young Artist Competition. 

2012 Young Artist Winner: Adair Brooks, Violinist

2011 Young Artist Winner: Chambers Loomis, Pianist

2010 Young Artist Winner:  Kyle Decker, Pianist

2009 Young Artist Winner:  Luke Blackburn, Bassoonist

2008 Young Artist Winner:  Josianne Bailey, Flutist

2007 Young Artist Winner:  Drew Pritchard, Tubist