ABOUT
The Carmel Bach Festival Young Artist Showcase recognizes outstanding young musicians from California's Central Coast. The concert takes place at Monterey Peninsula's premiere performance venue, the Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. After the performance, Young Artists receive a professional recording and photos of their live performance.
In 2025, we introduced two divisions – one for students up through age 13 and the second one for ages 14-18.
Update for 2026
To the Greater Community of Young Musicians and Teachers:
We appreciate the many years that all of you, students and teachers, have participated in our Young Artist Showcase. Your performances have been inspiring to everyone.
The Carmel Bach Festival has made the decision to pause the Young Artist Showcase in 2026. The reasons are many. We’re taking a year to explore and revisit the program to see how we can create a more inclusive connection to our Festival as well as create a platform that may attract a greater number of young musicians across the four counties of Central Coast Section.
We expect to be back in 2027 as we celebrate our 90th anniversary. Thank you for your understanding.
INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
Eligibility
Entrants must be pre-college age (not yet started their first year in college). High school seniors who will graduate before the Carmel Bach Festival in July are eligible to apply.
Additionally, auditionees must reside in or study with a teacher in Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, or San Luis Obispo County, California. The Young Artists' Showcase is open to instrumentalists, vocalists, soloists, and small ensembles. If you have questions about whether you're eligible to apply, contact us to ask!
Repertoire
Repertoire may be chosen from any era but should be traditional “classical" music within the Western music tradition. While we encourage memorization, it is not a requirement for the audition or performance.
Audition repertoire should be at least 3-4 minutes, and no more than 7-8 minutes. An entry may consist of more than one piece or more than one movement from larger works such as concertos or suites, subject to the 7-8 minutes time limit. The Showcase Director may have to limit performance time.
Accompaniment
Soloists must provide their own accompanist for any piece that requires accompaniment. Accompanists are NOT subject to the age requirement, and need not complete a separate application. We ask that you provide their contact information on your application form.
The Audition Process
Whether or not a student is chosen for the concert, we believe the audition process is a valuable experience.
Students learn discipline and musicianship through the process of memorizing, preparing, and recording for the audition. Each student who auditions for the Young Artists' Showcase will receive thoughtful, constructive feedback from our judging panel comprised of local professional musicians, offering them fresh inspiration and encouragement.
Private lesson teachers, please encourage all eligible students to audition.