Applications Open for 2024 YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions

Winners will receive high-profile concert debuts and a management contract, among other career benefits

Established in 1961, the Young Concert Artists (YCA) Susan Wadsworth International Auditions has since provided emerging artists opportunities to connect with top industry professionals to further their music careers.

From the Auditions, the YCA adds a new group of winning artists to its roster each year. Winners receive a minimum three-year management contract, high-profile debuts, plus national and international recital and orchestra performance opportunities.

Additionally, winners will benefit from full promotional and marketing services, educational residency experience, and professional development, as well as YCA’s network of industry managers, concert presenters, top conductors, and financial supporters.

Winners must be available to perform concert engagements in North America for a minimum of six weeks (two three-week periods) between September and May of each concert season.

The YCA Auditions are open to instrumentalists aged 16 to 28 years old, singers 20 to 30 years old, and ensembles with an average age of 30 or less, as of as of October 27, 2024.

Chamber ensembles, percussionists, and players of unusual instruments are also encouraged to apply. The 2024 auditions are not available to cello, accordion, or piano duo (two pianos).

Applicants must be at the beginning of their solo career and must not be under North American management.

For more information and to apply, click here. With an Early Bird Deadline on June 3, 2024, applications will officially close on August 1, 2024.

Live auditions will be held on the following dates in New York City:

• Piano: September 4 & 5
• Winds & Brass: September 9
• Voice: September 11 & 12
• Strings: September 18 & 19

YCA will also hold preliminary round live auditions at The Colburn School in Los Angeles, on Sunday, September 22, 2024.

Instead of a live audition, you may submit recordings for your preliminary round audition.

The final auditions will take play on October 27, 2024.

Previous YCA recipients include Pinchas Zukerman, Ida Kavafian, Anne Akiko Meyers, Emanuel Ax, Murray Perahia, plus VC Artists Paul Huang, Ray Chen, Stephen Warts, Zlatomir Fung, Xavier Foley, SooBeen Lee, Risa Hokamura, and Jonathan Swensen.