2026 Young Artists Solo Competition

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Young Artist Competition winner!

OLIVIA WANG

Olivia is a junior at Blue Valley High School where she is a member of the
BVHS band program. She studies privately with Mackenzie Vavricek.

Her musical achievements include being selected KMEA All-State member
for the past two years, a member of the ECKMEA Kansas All-District for the
past three years, a member of the John Philip Sousa Honor Band for the past
three years, and Principal Oboe of the Blue Valley High School
Wind Ensemble for the past three years.
Olivia was the runner-up for the 2024-2025
NorthWinds Young Artist Competition.

Olivia will be performing the first movement of W.A. Mozart’s Concerto in C Major
on our next NorthWinds Symphonic Band concert:

Sunday, April 26th, 2026, 3:00 PM
Staley High School Performing Arts Center

We deeply appreciate Meyer Music’s generosity for underwriting our scholarship!

Past winners:

Henry Scamurra - 2019 Winner — **Henry Scamurra (2019)**

Cooper Smith - 2018 Winner — **Cooper Smith (2018)**

Gabby Stanley - 2017 Winner — **Gabby Stanley (2017)**

Nick Foster - 2016 Winner — **Nick Foster (2016)**

Kali Dodd - 2015 Winner — **Kali Dodd (2015)**

Adam Lechner - 2014 Winner — **Adam Lechner (2014)**

Shawn Griddine - 2013 Winner — **Shawn Griddine (2013)**

Woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible. Entries from college applicants will not be accepted.

Application Process:

Repertoire Requirements & List of Solos w/ Band Accompaniment

Submit online application and audio recording and 2 letters of recommendation by January 21st, 2026.

Please Send all Application Materials (Recommendations and Recording) to Jacob Wilson at jacob.wilson90@gmail.com

Preliminary Screening Round:

All completed applications and recordings will be evaluated by a panel of judges, selected from within the NorthWinds Symphonic Band membership, following the January 21st, 2026 deadline. Notification of application status will be conveyed to all applicants by January 28th, 2026.

Final Live Audition Round:

Finalists will be invited to audition live on Sunday afternoon of February 15th, 2026. This is a mandatory audition. Specific location and times will be sent along with the invitation to audition.
The winner of the live audition will be notified February 16th, 2026. Receiving the award is conditioned upon the winner being available and committed to rehearsal dates and performance date listed below.
Scholarship awards are provided to winners upon completion of their high school education.

TIMELINE:

Application deadline: Wed, January 21st, 2026
Finalists announced: Wed, January 28th, 2026
Live auditions: Sun, February 15th, 2026
Winner announced: Mon, February 16th, 2026
Sunday Rehearsals with the NorthWinds Symphonic Band: March 22nd & 29th; April 12th & 19th (2026)
Performance: Sun, April 26th, 2026

The NorthWinds Symphonic Band Solo Competition committee, the directors, and membership reserve the right to make their selection(s) based on any and all information provided in the applications and/or reference letters. The selection of a clear winner will be contingent upon the unanimous approval of the adjudicating panel.