Competition Rules

Eligibility

Students must either reside in or attend schools located in the following areas:

• Pacific Palisades
• Brentwood
• Topanga Canyon
• Calabasas
• Malibu
• Santa Monica
• Venice
• Marina del Rey
• Hermosa Beach
• Redondo Beach
• Manhattan Beach
• Torrance
• Westwood
• Culver City

Participants will compete in one of three categories based on their grade level:

• Elementary School: Grades 1-6
• Middle School: Grades 7-9
• High School: Grades 10-12

Previous winners must either:

• Compete on a different instrument, or
• Wait until they become eligible in another category.

Awards

• Monetary prizes will be awarded to the winners in each academic level.
• Winners will receive the opportunity to perform with the Palisades Symphony Orchestra.

• To receive the prize, winners must perform with the orchestra and Maestro Maxim Kuzin at the Young Artist Concert on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Performance Requirements

The competition performance must consist of one memorized movement from the standard
repertoire, up to 10-15 minutes long, with orchestral parts readily available.

Participants are responsible for providing their own piano accompanist for the audition.

2025/2026 Audition Information

• Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026.
  
• Location: Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90405

Rehearsal and Concert Requirements for Winners (dates/times pending confirmation)

Winners must rehearse their piece with the orchestra during the following times:

• Tuesday and Thursday Evening Rehearsal: March 17 and 19, 2026 (7-10 PM)

• Saturday Dress Rehearsal: March 21, 2025 (1–4 PM)

• Sunday Concert March 22, 2026 (7pm)

Winners are encouraged to attend additional rehearsals if they wish.

Please note:  If a winner is not available to rehearse and perform with the orchestra on the assigned dates and times, the award may be offered to the next qualified runner-up.

Judging

Independent judges from the music profession will be selected by the Palisades Symphony. 

The judges’ decisions are final, including the decision to withhold awards in any or all categories if no contestants are deemed qualified to perform with the orchestra.

Registration

All applicants must register online and pay $25 registration fee through the following link:

• Registration Form
• Registration Deadline: January 18, 2026

No physical registration forms will be accepted. All applications must be submitted online.

Additional Information

For questions or additional details, please contact:

• Saundra Sonderling, Auditions Chairman
• Phone: (310) 455-1761
• Email: sscellist@yahoo.com

Please Note: Palisades Symphony and Westside Philharmonic are no longer affiliated.