The Florence Frager Young Artist Competition, which started in the mid-1970s and was named after a member’s mother in 1993, has allowed the Civic to support young talent in the community and showcase them with a full symphonic orchestra for over 40 years. The 2026-2027 Audition Date is Sunday, November 22, 2026, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church, 9801 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Audition times will be in the evening between 6:00 and 9:00 pm, and specifics will be decided closer to the date and will be communicated to applicants.
Information for Applicants
Qualifications – An applicant shall:
- Be a senior high school student in grades 9-12.
- Be an orchestral instrumentalist (except piano)
- Complete the application (CLICK HERE TO APPLY)
- Reside within a 150-mile radius of St. Louis
Auditions – An applicant shall:
- Perform from memory a movement from a work in the advanced concert repertoire that is scored for orchestral accompaniment.
- Audition for a maximum of ten minutes
- Supply an accompanist.
- Bring two copies of the music for the judges, with no names on them.
2026-2027 Music Requirement
The selected piece can be any solo work with orchestra accompaniment except the following, which have been performed by the orchestra in the last three years:
- Trombone, Ferdinand David, Concertino
- Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No. 5
- Violin Concerto Op. 14, Samuel Barber, 1. Allegro
- Violin Concerto No.1 in D major, Op. 19, Sergei Prokofiev, 1. Andantino
- Violin Concerto No.2 in G major, Op. 63, Sergei Prokofiev, 1. Allegro moderato
- Violin, Saint-Saëns Concerto No.3, Mvt. 1
Award
The winner(s) shall receive an honorarium and perform as a soloist(s) with the St. Louis Civic Orchestra at its April concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood. The date is Saturday, April 10, 2027, at 7:00 pm.
Application Procedure
For information, email stlouiscivicorchestra@gmail.com
Click Here for the 26-27 Florence Frager Young Artist Competition Application
Applications must be received by Wednesday, November 19, 2026, but only the first 15 will be accepted.