ELEVATING YOUNG MUSICIANS WITH INSPIRATION, CONNECTIONS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT
103 Years Awarding Student Scholarships
- There is no cost to apply.
- Scholarship awards are:
– College & Graduate Students: 1st prize is $2,500, 2nd prize is $1,750, 3rd prize is $500
– Jr. & Sr. High Students: 1st prize is $2,000, 2nd prize is $1,500, 3rd prize is $500 - The Preliminary round is virtual while Finals are in person with a nationally recognized judge. All finalists will have the opportunity to participate in a live session following their category/division’s auditions to receive additional education and feedback from their judge.
NEW RULE in 2026 for the Final Round ONLY:
Brass & Woodwinds, Guitar, Piano, & Strings will have 15 minutes to perform two pieces for in-person Finals. The Voice category will remain at 10 minutes total.
2026 Competition Dates
Applications Open: October 13, 2025
Application Deadline: January 12, 2026
Repertoire Change Deadline: January 18, 2026
Preliminaries Video Submission Deadline: January 25, 2026
Finalists Emailed: March 3, 2026
In-Person Finals: March 21 & 22, 2026 at Macalester College
Saturday, March 21- Piano I & II and Strings I & II
Sunday, March 22- Piano III & IV, Strings III & IV, and all Brass & Winds, Guitar, and Voice
Musicians on the Rise Winners Recital: April 25, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., Ordway Concert Hall
More About the Competition
The Bruce P. Carlson Student Scholarship Competition, held each spring, awards a total of over $70,000 annually to young musicians to be used for further musical education.
The competition began in 1922, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Schubert Club. It started modestly with three winners representing the categories of voice, violin, and piano. The competition has since grown to fifteen different categories with three cash prizes awarded for each category to be used for further musical education. The winners of each category are also invited to perform in the annual Winners Recital, Musicians on the Rise.
The Competition is named in memory of Bruce P. Carlson, Executive Director of Schubert Club from 1968 to 2006.
Applicants must be a resident or enrolled in a learning institution within the 5-state region (MN, WI, SD, ND or IA).
“The Competition has been an indispensable source for musical growth, and a proving ground where I could test my skill and artistry. I feel like I’ve grown up as a musician through the Schubert Club Competition, and it is an opportunity for which I am immensely grateful.”
– Liam Ainslie Mayo, 2017 Piano Winner