ELEVATING YOUNG MUSICIANS WITH INSPIRATION, CONNECTIONS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT
101 Years Awarding Student Scholarships
Exciting Changes in 2023!
- There is no cost to apply.
- A second Guitar division will be added:
Guitar II – Grades 7-12
Guitar III – College Freshman – Age 28 - A 3rd prize award of $500 will be added in all categories.
- The scholarship award for college and graduate students in all instrument/voice categories will increase from $2000 to $2500 for 1st place and from $1500 to $1750 for 2nd place.
- The Preliminary round will continue to be virtual while Finals will be 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.
2024 Competition Dates
Applications Open: September 8, 2023
Application Deadline: January 8, 2024
Repertoire Change Deadline: January 21, 2024
Preliminaries Video Submission Deadline: January 28, 2024
Finalists Emailed: February 27, 2024
In-Person Finals: March 10, 2024 at Macalester College
Musicians on the Rise Winners Recital: March 16, 2024 at 1:00pm at the 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