• Participants must be 12-18 years old to compete in the Junior Division, and 19-25 years old to compete in the Senior Division at the time of the competition date, Saturday, April 4, 2026. There are no exceptions made regarding participant age eligibility. 

• Participants must be an Oregon resident or attend an Oregon school/university during the 2025/26 school year.

• Open to all orchestral instrumentalists, including pianists. The competition is not currently open to vocalists.

• Multi-performer entries (duets, trios, etc.) are not eligible for this competition. Participants must register as an individual performer (plus accompaniment)

• Previous prize winners (1st and 2nd place division winners) of the Eugene Symphony Guild Legacy Young Artist Competition are ineligible to compete.

Participants are invited to perform up to 6 minutes of the following repertory types:

• a single-movement work with orchestra

• a movement from a work with orchestra

While works or movements over 6 minutes are permitted, score cuts must be made by the participants so that they stay within the 6 minute performance time. These cuts should be primarily from the accompaniment-only sections and participants should try to keep the solo part as intact as possible. All cuts must be clearly marked in the scores given to judges.

Each applicant is responsible for providing their own accompanist (required).

Participants are encouraged, but not required, to play from memory.

Eugene Symphony will present an all-American program at its 2026 Symphony in the Park performance. Students are encouraged—but not required—to perform a work by an American composer at the competition; repertoire choice will not affect prize distribution. One selected young artist will be invited to perform a work by an American composer at this summer’s Symphony in the Park performance.

• The Competition will take place between approximately 8:00 – 5:00 PM on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

• Participants will be notified of their performance time the week of March 16, 2026.

• Winners and prizes will be announced at the conclusion of each Division. We will make every effort to stay on time during the competition and appreciate your flexibility. Participants are encouraged to be present for each division’s prize announcement ceremony.

• Participants will receive judges’ comments by e-mail or physical mail following the competition.

• The competition is a public event. Community members are welcome and encouraged to attend.