General Information
Annual Competition for Young Musicians

Annabelle Trinh, cello, and Sophie Lechner, string bass, are the 2026–2027 competition winners. They will perform as soloists with the Symphony at its February concert at the Bankhead Theater, and each will be awarded $750.00. The competition was open to instrumentalists and vocalists who reside in Alameda County, Contra Costa County, the City of Tracy, or the City of Mountain House, California. Piano and String applicants were to be 19 or younger as of January 1, 2027; Vocal, Wind, Brass, Percussion, and Harp applicants were to be 22 or younger as of January 1, 2027.

Applications for the competition were accepted from September 4 to September 18, 2026. Music was to be chosen from the standard repertoire for orchestra. The selection, one movement of a concerto or a comparable work, was expected to be between 5 and 15 minutes in length. (Compositions either performed by the Symphony in its 2025–2026 season or to be performed by LAS in 2026–2027 were not to be chosen.) All non-pianist applicants were to have piano accompaniment.

Those accepted to compete performed in person on Saturday October 10, 2026, before a panel of judges including the Music Director. Contestants provided their own accompanists. Each student who participated has received a written evaluation. Intonation, tone quality, technique, style/interpretation, and memorization were taken into consideration.

Winners, as soloists, perform the same music with which they competed. Previous winners of this competition may reapply after an intervening year. However, anyone who has performed two times as a soloist with the Symphony cannot be considered as a contestant.

 
Application

Applicants submit a non-refundable fee of $25.00, a completed application form, and, for preliminary screening, a recording of themselves playing the solo to be performed at their audition.

Application Form:
The application form is filled out and submitted by mail or email.

Application Fee:
Use the button below to pay online. Type in the name and musical instrument of the applicant, then click on PayPal, venmo, or Checkout. Or, write a check for $25 payable to Livermore-Amador Symphony Association and mail it to Livermore-Amador Symphony, c/o 744 Polaris Way, Livermore CA 94550. Please include your address and contact information.

Video: Applicants must post a recording video to YouTube and email a link to competition@livermoreamadorsymphony.org. For piano recordings, accompaniment is not essential. All applicants are notified of the outcome of the preliminary screening.

 
If you have any questions, you may contact Competition Committee Chair Anne Badders (competition@livermoreamadorsymphony.org).

Past Winners

See a list of past winners and the pieces they played, from the 1973–74 through 2025–26 seasons.

See photos of winners from the 2011–12 through 2025–26 seasons.

 

© Livermore-Amador Symphony Association